1. The hypothalamus and anterior pituitary regulate
the production of gonadal sex steroids, eg, testosterone in males and estrogens
and progesterone in females. These steroid hormones, in turn, control the
hypothalamic/pituitary release of the gonadotropins, FSH and LH, via negative
feedback pathways.
In an experiment , removal of the testes led
to elevations in circulating plasma concentrations of LH and FSH. Administration
of testosterone to these castrated animals corrected the LH levels (brought
them back to normal), but did not fully correct the elevations in
FSH.Why is there feedback control of FSH in normal animals, but not in
castrated individuals?
2. Some excitable cells have a special class of K+ channels called Ca++-activated
(gated)
K+ channels. These channels open in response to increased intracellular
[Ca++]. Be able to explain how these channels might contribute to the process
of sensory adaptation.
Adjustments to reading schedule
Omit these short sections from your scheduled
reading (pages in parentheses):