Physiological Regulatory Mechanisms Quiz

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment, vital for survival.

A characteristic that is regulated by a homeostatic mechanism.

The optimal value of the system variable.

An entity that monitors the value of the system variable.

An entity that corrects the system variable back to the set point.

A process where the effect of an action reduces or stops the action.

The fluid inside a cell's cytoplasm.

The blood plasma.

A hormone produced by the kidneys when they detect a decrease in blood flow. It triggers thirst, causes the kidneys to retain water and salt, and increases blood pressure.

A region outside the blood-brain barrier where angiotensin acts to stimulate thirst.

Specialized cells located in the atria of the heart that detect changes in blood flow and trigger volumetric thirst.

The process by which the digestive system breaks down food into smaller components that the body can absorb.

The chemical processes by which energy is obtained from food and used by the body.

The period during which energy from the meal is meeting the body's immediate energy needs.

The period when all non-stored energy is used and the body relies on reserves to meet energy needs.

Two pancreatic hormones that regulate energy flow in the three metabolic phases. They have opposite effects.

The hormone that stimulates the body to use glucose as energy, store excess glucose as glycogen and fat, and store amino acids as protein.

The hormone that stimulates the body to break down glycogen and fat for energy.

A theory of hunger that suggests an energy deficit triggers hunger, and eating restores the body's energy levels to a set point.

A theory that focuses on blood glucose levels to explain hunger.

Hunger caused by glucose deprivation of cells.

Proteins in the cell membrane that transport glucose into cells.

A condition characterized by low blood glucose levels.

The primary fuel source for the brain.

The anticipated pleasure associated with eating.

A theory that proposes that hunger is primarily driven by the anticipated pleasure of eating, rather than by internal energy deficits.

Signals from the liver, carried through the vagus nerve, informing the brain about lipid and glucose levels.

Receptors in the brain stem (medulla) that monitor the availability of glucose in the brain.

The idea that hunger is triggered by the anticipation of food, rather than by an internal energy deficit.

A hormone that increases appetite and stimulates thoughts about food. It's released during fasting and suppressed after a meal.

A hormone released from fat stores that acts as a negative feedback signal to reduce appetite and increase fat metabolism.

A neurotransmitter that induces feelings of fullness (satiety) and can help resist high-calorie foods.

The region of the brain where ghrelin receptors are located, leading to increased appetite when activated.

A brain region where dopamine neurons containing ghrelin receptors are located, stimulating eating when activated.

Fat stored under the skin.

Fat stored around internal organs, which poses greater health risks than subcutaneous fat.

The evolutionary explanation for our tendency to overeat suggests that during pre-agricultural times, inconsistent food supplies favored individuals who could store fat efficiently. This preference for high-calorie foods persists today, despite the abundance of readily available food.

Many cultures promote a food-centric lifestyle where frequent meals, social gatherings centered around food, and the addition of flavor-enhancing fats and sugars contribute to increased food consumption.

Differences in taste preferences, as well as the body's anticipatory response (cephalic phase) to the sight and smell of food, can contribute to overeating.

The amount of energy an individual expends can be influenced by factors like exercise, basal metabolic rate, diet-induced thermogenesis, and non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT).

Recent research suggests that the composition of gut bacteria can influence various biological processes, including neurodevelopment, the blood-brain barrier, and myelination. Certain gut microbiome compositions may protect against or predispose individuals to obesity.

Genetic factors can influence an individual's weight by affecting factors like metabolism, hunger signals, and even the gut microbiome. Some genetic mutations can lead to leptin deficiencies, which can have a significant impact on body weight.

Weight-loss programs often fail because they address temporary lifestyle changes rather than permanent behavioral modifications. The settling-point model suggests that weight regains when the original conditions, such as dietary habits and activity levels, are reestablished.

Overeating shares similarities with drug addiction, characterized by craving, reward-seeking, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Overconsumption of highly palatable foods can lead to addictive behaviors and make it difficult to stop.