thirst

(verb)

The sensation that drives organisms to ingest water. It is considered a basic survival instinct.

Related Terms

  • osmoreceptors
  • dehydration

Examples of thirst in the following topics:

  • Regulation of Water Intake

    • Body water homeostasis is regulated mainly through ingested fluids, which, in turn, depends on thirst.
    • Thirst is the basic instinct or urge that drives an organism to ingest water.
    • Thirst is a sensation created by the hypothalamus, the "Thirst Center" of the human body.
    • Thirst is an important component of blood volume regulation, which is slowly regulated by homeostasis.
    • Angiotensin II acts on the hypothalamus to cause the sensation of thirst.
  • Signs and Symptoms of Shock

    • Hypothermia, due to decreased perfusion and evaporation of sweat, and thirst and dry mouth, due to fluid depletion may also be present.
  • Drive-Reduction Theory of Motivation

    • Motivations are commonly separated into two types: drives are acts of motivation like thirst or hunger that have primarily biological purposes, while motives are fueled primarily by social and psychological mechanisms.
    • Primary drives are innate biological needs (e.g., thirst, hunger, and desire for sex) that are usually necessary for survival.
  • Tissues and Aging

    • A compromised sense of thirst as a consequence of aging led these elderly people to be severely dehydrated.
    • Because water balance is altered and the sensation of thirst diminishes with age, older people are more susceptible to dehydration.
  • Hormonal Regulation of the Excretory System

    • This causes increased thirst, but water taken in is lost again and must be continually consumed.
    • Angiotensin II, in addition to being a potent vasoconstrictor, also causes an increase in ADH and increased thirst, both of which help to raise blood pressure.
  • Fluids and Aging

    • In adults over the age of 50 years, the body's thirst sensation reduces and continues diminishing with age, putting this population at increased risk of dehydration.
  • Classical Theory of Motivation

  • Biopsychology

    • Key areas of focus include sensation and perception, motivated behavior (such as hunger, thirst, and sex), control of movement, learning and memory, sleep and biological rhythms, and emotion.
  • Functions of the Diencephalon

    • The hypothalamus controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian cycles.
  • Regulation of Water Output

    • Angiotensin II has a variety of effects (such as increasing thirst) but it also causes release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex.
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