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Glossary
Corticosteroid: One of the hormones produced by the cortex of the adrenal gland.
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Gonads: Sex-glands; ovaries in females; testes in males.
Gonadotropic Hormones: Secretions of the pituitary gland serving as signals that activate gonads, e.g. follicle stimulating (FSH) and lutenizing hormone (LH).
Melatonin: An amine secreted by the pineal gland.
Noradrenaline: Secreted by adrenal as well as some special nerves and used as a transmitter; related to adrenalin.
Pineal: A small cone-shaped endocrine gland in the brain; produces melatonin that inhibits sexual development and so may be responsible for the long period of childhood in humans.
Pituitary (Hypophysis): The body's "master gland". It lies close to the hypothalamus by which it is controlled. It produces tropic hormones which activate or inhibit the activities of the other glands. Hence, it is called, the conductor of the endocrine orchestra. It regulates numerous metabolic processes such as growth and reproduction.
Serotonin: An indoleamine used as a transmitter by some synapses involved in the program of sleeping, etc.; can also inhabit aggression. Sex hormones: They are produced by the gonads under the influence of the pituitary. They control the physical as well as behavioural characters of the sexes. The male hormones are androgens, the female estrogens and progesterone, but both sexes produce all sorts, in different proportions.
Testosterone: The male sex hormone, produced by the testis and causing the development of masculine characters.
E. Miscellaneous Terms
Aim (objective): The target to which actions are directed, as specified by the operations of a program.