Physiology 1021 Chapter Notes -Insulin, Leptin, Adrenal Medulla

• School: Western University
• Department: Physiology
• Course: Physiology 1021
• Professor: Bob Larose

Document Summary

A major function of the nervous system is to maintain the constancy of the internal environment; homeostasis. Neurons controlling the internal environment are concentrated in a region of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is greatly influenced by, and operated in the conjuction with, higher control systems located in the limbic system. Has 4 lobes: frontal cortex, occipital cortex, parietal cortex, temporal cortex. Some functions of the hypothalamus are essential to life, where others contribute to the overall adaptation of the animal to its normal, changing external environment. Because of the importance to all life processes, information about the hypothalamus is found in almost every chapter of the text. Functions of the hypothalamus: controls the autonomic nervous system. Deals with the fight or flight response: neuroendocrine control. Posterior pituitary glands, receives from adrenal medulla: reproduction. Behavior and pituitary function: water balance and exchange, sodium balance and exchange, body energy balance and exchange. Nutrients intake- metabolism: drives and emotion.