Hunger, thirst & the Brain

Question 1

Which of the following statements is true for sensory circumventricular organs (SVOs)?
They have blood-brain barriers that inhibit blood-flow.
Signals generated by hormonal action in the area postrema stimulate thirst.
The subfornical organ is located in the prefrontal cortex.
SVOs enable communication between circulating blood and brain regions.

Answer 1

SVOs enable communication between circulating blood and brain regions.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about sex differences is true?
No significant differences related to the feeding system are found.
Cognitive inhibition is related to decreased limbic activation in males.
Cognitive inhibition is related to decreased limbic activation in females.
Males show higher rates of obesity and EDs than females.

Answer 2

Cognitive inhibition is related to decreased limbic activation in males.

Question 3

Anorexigenic and orexigenic signals…
convey information about osmolarity.
are released by the nucleus arcuatus and inhibit or stimulate appetite.
are signals that are secreted only in obesity or anorexic patients.
subfornical are released by the nucleus preopticus venterolateralis.

Answer 3

are released by the nucleus arcuatus and inhibit or stimulate appetite.

Question 4

Which hormones are responsible for informing the hypothalamus of satiety?
Insulin, leptin, and ghrelin
testosterone and estrogen
cortisol, prolactin, and insulin
cortisol, prolactin, and insulin

Answer 4

Insulin, leptin, and ghrelin

Question 5

Which of the following is a genetic component related to obesity?
Hox genes
Ob gene 
OTF gene 
ADH1B gene

Answer 5

Ob gene

Question 6

Which of the following is false regarding the hormone vasopressin?
It is secreted in the posterior nuclei of the hypothalamus.
It is an anti-diuretic.
Its release stimulates salt intake.
It maintains osmotic balance by acting on the kidneys

Answer 6

Its release stimulates salt intake.

Question 7

Which part of the hypothalamus detects changes in osmolarity to trigger thirst?
arcuate nucleus
preoptic nucleus
lamina terminalis
pons

Answer 7

lamina terminalis

Question 8

What role does the lamina terminalis play regarding thirst?
detection of osmolarity and fluid imbalance
integrating information on liver function
secretion of hormones vasopressin and angiotensin II
inhibition of thirst

Answer 8

detection of osmolarity and fluid imbalance