Hunger and chemical senses

Question 1

What does sweetness signify?

Answer 1

Energy-rich and vitamin-rich foods.

Question 2

What does saltiness signify?

Answer 2

The presence of electrolytes.

Question 3

What does umami signify?

Answer 3

The presence of glutamate (an amino acid).

Question 4

What do bitterness and sourness signify?

Answer 4

Potentially harmful, spoiled, or poisonous foods.

Question 5

How does junk food affect the brain?

Answer 5

It can change the brain over time, especially with continuous intake.

Question 6

What was the effect of the Dutch famine on babies in gestation?

Answer 6

Increased obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Question 7

How did the rise of agriculture affect human survival?

Answer 7

It stabilized food availability and reduced feast-or-famine risks.

Question 8

Do all senses contribute to taste?

Answer 8

Yes, all senses play a role in taste.

Question 9

What regulates hunger and satiation?

Answer 9

Blood glucose levels.

Question 10

What is the brain’s primary energy source?

Answer 10

Glucose

Question 11

How is glucose stored and released?

Answer 11

Stored as glycogen in the liver and released when blood glucose is low.

Question 12

Describe the negative feedback loop of glucose.

Answer 12

↑ blood sugar → insulin → glucose uptake + glycogen/adipose storage

↓ blood sugar → glycogen converted back into glucose

Depleted glycogen = hunger signal

Question 13

What hormone promotes food-seeking behavior?

Answer 13

Neuropeptide Y (NPY)

Question 14

What happens when blood sugar increases?

Answer 14

The pancreas secretes insulin, prompting cells to absorb and store glucose.

Question 15

What happens as blood sugar decreases over time?

Answer 15

The liver converts glycogen to glucose and releases it into the blood.

Question 16

What triggers hunger?

Answer 16

Low glucose and glycogen levels; increase in Neuropeptide Y (NPY).

Question 17

What sends satiety signals to the brain?

Answer 17

Stomach stretch receptors (via the vagus nerve)

Gastrointestinal digestive hormones

Liver monitoring glucose

Question 18

What is CCK

Answer 18

Cholecystokinin

Short-term satiety hormone

Question 19

What does CCK do?

Answer 19

Signals the brain to stop eating.

Question 20

Where is CCK produced?

Answer 20

In the small intestine.

Question 21

How is fat stored?

Answer 21

As adipose tissue.

Question 22

Why is fat ideal for long-term energy storage?

Answer 22

1g of fat = 9 kcal vs. 1g of glycogen = 4 kcal.

Question 23

What is leptin?

Answer 23

A hormone secreted by fat cells that signals low energy storage levels.

Question 24

What does leptin do in the brain?

Answer 24

It inhibits NPY in the hypothalamus, therefor reducing appetite.

Question 25

What happened when mice were given extra leptin?

Answer 25

They become leptin resistant, which reduced their appetite control and made them keep eating.

Question 26

What are endogenous opioids?

Answer 26

Naturally occurring substances with morphine-like effects that contribute to reward-driven eating and enhance food pleasure.

Question 27

Does the body defend more against weight loss or weight gain?

Answer 27

The body defends more against weight loss.

Question 28

Do babies show instinctual taste preferences?

Answer 28

Yes, even neurologically impaired babies prefer sweet/salty and reject bitter/sour.

Question 29

Where is taste processed in the brain?

Answer 29

In older, lower brain regions.

Question 30

What can affect taste response?

Answer 30

Evolution Cultural influences Number of taste buds Pregnancy

Question 31

Why might some people be more sensitive to taste?

Answer 31

They may have more taste buds.

Question 32

Why are females more sensitive to bitter and sweet?

Answer 32

Possibly to help avoid toxins during pregnancy.

Question 33

How many taste receptors are in each taste bud?

Answer 33

Around 50–150.

Question 34

Where are taste buds located?

Answer 34

⅔ on the tongue, rest on the throat and soft palate.

Question 35

Are specific tastes restricted to specific tongue regions?

Answer 35

No, all areas of the tongue can detect all 5 basic tastes.

Question 36

What is the function of the gustatory nerve?

Answer 36

Connects taste receptors to the medulla and thalamus and is involved in the gag reflex.

Question 37

What does the gustatory cortex do?

Answer 37

Main processing center for taste.

Question 38

What does the primary somatosensory cortex do?

Answer 38

Processes the texture and feel of food.

Question 39

What brain regions combine to produce flavor?

Answer 39

Gustatory cortex, somatosensory cortex, and orbital cortex.

Question 40

What creates the sensation of flavor?

Answer 40

The combination of taste and smell.

Question 41

What chemical makes food spicy?

Answer 41

Capsaicin.

Question 42

How does capsaicin affect the body?

Answer 42

Binds to heat and pain receptors, triggering action potentials.

Question 43

How is flavor created?

Answer 43

By combining taste and smell.

Question 44

What role do receptors in the nasopharynx play?

Answer 44

What role do receptors in the nasopharynx play?

Question 45

How are different smells distinguished?

Answer 45

By unique patterns of receptor firing.