Hunger and thirst

[caucasian]

Are these functions mediated by the Hypothalamus or the neural pathways that lead through it?

[Peter Pedant]

Ah....to what extent can hunger and thirst be called emotions or physiological relflexes ?

It takes me back to the Nat Sci Tripos of 1973 (and I didnt know the answer then)

FitsSimons gave us lectures on this subject and I dont suppose much has changed since then. There should be a chapter on it in Ganong

Physiol function of the hypothalamus is, as usual, studied via the three procedures of excise excite and ablate.

Certainly if you excise or ablate it, over eating may result. Kluver Bucy animals come in here.

Otherwise I am afraid you are gonna have to read a standard text on phys......sorry and good luck

oh, thirst I think is a bit easier - arent the osmoceptors directly in the hypothalamus ? They sense and then control the secretion of ADH. However this does not take into account the baehvoural changes in thirst (you go to a tap and pour a glass of water) - bearing in minnd that children who cannot walk, cant do this and therefore suffere the effects of thirst more than the older humans......

Good luck still