Heredity and Hormones

Heredity and Hormones

As many may know, physical characteristics are passed to individuals genetically, received from his or her parents. Upon conception, the fetus inherits genes from each parent; these are the genes that combine and structure a person’s distinctive genetic makeup (WebMD, 2011). What many may not know is behavior is passed down genetically as well. Heredity and hormones are two factors that affect how a person’s behavior is developed.

The endocrine system is one system that coordinates human behavior. The endocrine system is made-up of glands that produce and secrete hormones. Hormones are released into the bloodstream and send messages from cell to cell. Major glands within the endocrine system, which secrete hormones, include the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pineal body, adrenal glands, hypothalamus, the pancreas, and the reproductive organs. The release of hormones in the pituitary gland is as follows; a signal is sent from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, a releasing hormone, which then stimulates the pituitary to secrete a stimulating hormone into the circulation. Then the stimulating hormone signals the target gland to secrete its hormone. Once the level of the hormones increase, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland shut down, ceasing the secretion of the releasing hormone and stimulating hormone. This then slows down secretion from the target gland.

According to the Pituitary Network Association (2011), “pituitary disorders have a unique relationship with mental and emotional states.” It is believed that the hormones Prolactin and Cortisol’s act upon the brain either directly or indirectly causing psychological problems. Psychologists have been interested in hormones for two reasons; hormones organize the nervous system and body tissue, as well as activate behavior (Morris, 2002). At puberty, hormones trigger the development of things like breasts in women and a deeper voice in males. Hormones also affect things like...