Glossary
Basal Metabolic Rate
The amount of energy the body uses at rest to maintain basic bodily functions like breathing and circulation.
Example:
Even when you're just sitting and studying, your basal metabolic rate is burning calories to keep your body running.
Belonging
The fundamental human need to form and maintain positive, lasting relationships with others.
Example:
Joining a sports team or a club can fulfill a student's deep-seated need for belonging and social connection.
Estrogen
The primary female sex hormone, contributing to female sexual development and regulating the menstrual cycle.
Example:
Fluctuations in estrogen levels throughout the month can influence a woman's mood and energy.
Excitement (Sexual Response Cycle)
The initial stage of the sexual response cycle, characterized by increasing arousal and blood flow to the genitals.
Example:
The beginning of physical arousal, like increased heart rate, marks the excitement phase.
Ghrelin
A hormone secreted by an empty stomach that sends 'I'm hungry' signals to the brain, increasing appetite.
Example:
That intense rumbling in your stomach before lunch is often your body releasing ghrelin.
Glucose
The body's main source of energy, derived from digested food. Low levels of glucose signal hunger.
Example:
After a long run, your body's glucose levels might drop, making you feel hungry and ready for a snack.
Hypothalamus
A small but vital brain region that plays a crucial role in regulating many bodily functions, including hunger, thirst, and body temperature.
Example:
When you feel your stomach growl, it's often your hypothalamus sending signals to your body that it's time to eat.
Insulin
A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels by allowing cells to absorb glucose for energy or storage.
Example:
After eating a sugary snack, your insulin levels rise to help your body process the incoming glucose.
Kinsey's Research
Pioneering, though methodologically limited, survey-based research by Alfred Kinsey in the mid-20th century on human sexual behavior.
Example:
Kinsey's research was groundbreaking for openly discussing topics like premarital sex, challenging societal norms of the time.
Lateral Hypothalamus (LH)
A region of the hypothalamus that stimulates hunger. Damage to this area can lead to a lack of desire to eat.
Example:
If your lateral hypothalamus were damaged, you might never feel the urge to eat, even when your body needs fuel.
Leptin
A protein hormone secreted by fat cells that signals the brain to decrease hunger and increase metabolism.
Example:
Individuals with higher body fat typically have higher levels of leptin, which should theoretically reduce their appetite.
Neophobia
An aversion to new or unfamiliar foods, often seen as an evolutionary adaptation to avoid potentially harmful substances.
Example:
A child's refusal to try a new vegetable, despite its appealing appearance, could be an example of neophobia.
Orexin
A hunger-triggering hormone secreted by the hypothalamus, which increases appetite.
Example:
The smell of freshly baked cookies can stimulate the release of orexin, making you suddenly feel hungry.
Orgasm (Sexual Response Cycle)
The third and peak stage of the sexual response cycle, marked by rhythmic genital contractions and the release of sexual tension.
Example:
The intense, pleasurable sensations and muscular contractions define the orgasm phase.
Ostracism
The act of being excluded or ignored by a group, which can lead to feelings of pain, loneliness, and reduced self-esteem.
Example:
Experiencing ostraci sm from a friend group can be incredibly painful, activating the same brain regions as physical pain.
PYY
A hormone secreted by the digestive tract that sends 'I'm not hungry' signals to the brain, decreasing appetite.
Example:
After a satisfying meal, the release of PYY helps you feel full and stop eating.
Pancreas
An organ that produces insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood glucose levels.
Example:
In diabetes, the pancreas either doesn't produce enough insulin or the body doesn't use it effectively, leading to high blood sugar.
Plateau (Sexual Response Cycle)
The second stage of the sexual response cycle, where arousal continues to build and physiological responses intensify before orgasm.
Example:
During the plateau phase, breathing and heart rate continue to increase, preparing the body for the peak of arousal.
Refractory Period
A resting period after orgasm, during which a male cannot achieve another orgasm.
Example:
After ejaculation, a male typically enters a refractory period where further stimulation does not lead to immediate arousal.
Resolution (Sexual Response Cycle)
The final stage of the sexual response cycle, where the body returns to its unaroused state.
Example:
After the peak of arousal, the body gradually relaxes and returns to normal during the resolution phase.
Set-Point Theory
The theory that the body has a genetically predetermined weight that it tries to maintain by adjusting hunger and metabolism.
Example:
Despite dieting, some people find their weight tends to hover around a certain number, suggesting their body is fighting to maintain its set-point.
Sexual Dysfunction
Any problem that consistently impairs sexual arousal or functioning, causing distress to the individual.
Example:
Erectile dysfunction is a common form of sexual dysfunction that can impact a person's quality of life.
Sexual Response Cycle (Masters & Johnson)
A four-stage model describing the physiological responses that occur during sexual activity: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.
Example:
Understanding the Sexual Response Cycle helps explain the physiological changes the body undergoes during intimacy.
Social Eating
The tendency to eat more when in the presence of others or when a wider variety of food options are available.
Example:
At a party with a buffet, you might find yourself eating more than usual due to social eating and the abundance of choices.
Testosterone
The primary male sex hormone, crucial for male sexual development and maintaining sex drive in both sexes.
Example:
Higher levels of testosterone are generally associated with increased muscle mass and sex drive in men.
Thyroid
A gland that produces hormones regulating metabolism, which influences how quickly the body uses energy.
Example:
An overactive thyroid can cause a person to burn calories faster, leading to weight loss despite eating normally.
Ventromedial Hypothalamus (VMH)
A region of the hypothalamus that stimulates satiety, or the feeling of fullness. Damage to this area can lead to continuous eating.
Example:
Someone with damage to their ventromedial hypothalamus might eat an entire pizza and still not feel full.
Washburn & Cannon's Experiment
An early experiment that suggested stomach contractions were the primary cause of hunger, though later research showed hunger is more complex.
Example:
The classic study by Washburn & Cannon involved a balloon in a stomach to measure contractions, linking them to hunger pangs.