Lecture 7+8 AI generated

Question 1

Describe the cephalic phase in relation to eating behavior.

Answer 1

The cephalic phase refers to the anticipation and preparation for eating that occurs before food consumption begins.

Question 2

Define satiation signals in the context of food intake regulation.

Answer 2

Satiation signals are short-term cues, such as hormones from the liver and gastrointestinal tract, that help regulate food intake.

Question 3

How is glucose important for brain function?

Answer 3

Glucose is a crucial fuel for the brain, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can significantly impair brain function.

Question 4

Describe the role of insulin in regulating food intake.

Answer 4

Insulin, produced in the pancreas, serves as an adiposity signal reflecting visceral fat for long-term regulation and is involved in short-term glucose homeostasis.

Question 5

What brain area is considered the homeostatic center for eating behavior?

Answer 5

The hypothalamus, particularly the arcuate nucleus (ARC), is the homeostatic center for regulating eating behavior.

Question 6

How does the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) contribute to eating behavior?

Answer 6

The OFC, located in the frontal part of the brain, is involved in reward evaluation, including the pleasantness of food, and decision-making related to eating behavior.

Question 7

Describe the role of leptin in the body.

Answer 7

Leptin is produced by fat cells and signals the brain about fat cell size/percentage, regulating long-term food intake and energy balance.

Question 8

What is the primary source of leptin production?

Answer 8

Adipocytes (fat cells) are the primary source of leptin production in the body.

Question 9

Define insulin resistance in the context of obesity.

Answer 9

Insulin resistance in obesity refers to the reduced sensitivity of cells to insulin, commonly seen in type 2 diabetes.

Question 10

How do leptin and insulin levels in the blood relate to body fat content?

Answer 10

Leptin and insulin levels in the blood are proportional to body fat content and energy balance.

Question 11

Describe the impact of low leptin and insulin levels in the brain during weight loss.

Answer 11

Low leptin and insulin levels in the brain during weight loss increase eating stimulation and decrease energy expenditure.

Question 12

What are the main areas in the brain where insulin acts?

Answer 12

Insulin acts on the hindbrain, hypothalamus, olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex in the brain.

Question 13

Describe the role of leptin in regulating food intake and energy balance.

Answer 13

Leptin interacts with hindbrain satiety circuits to regulate meal size, modulating food intake and energy balance.

Question 14

How does leptin treatment affect individuals with congenital leptin deficiency?

Answer 14

Leptin treatment is effective in individuals with congenital leptin deficiency, as they do not produce leptin which causes extreme hunger and stimulated starvation.

Question 15

Define ghrelin and its role in the body.

Answer 15

Ghrelin is the hunger hormone primarily produced in the stomach. It stimulates appetite, induces a positive energy balance, and is linked to food anticipation and motivation.

Question 16

What is the function of Peptide YY (PYY) in the body?

Answer 16

PYY is primarily produced in the mucus of the GI tract, rising in proportion to ingested calories. It induces satiety, inhibits stomach emptying, and increases water and electrolyte absorption.

Question 17

How does ghrelin levels change before and after a meal?

Answer 17

Ghrelin levels are high before meals and decrease after meals.

Question 18

Describe the effect of ghrelin on food motivation and anticipation.

Answer 18

Ghrelin is linked to food motivation (wanting) and is involved in food anticipation, rising before a meal to stimulate appetite.

Question 19

Describe the role of PYY in relation to satiety.

Answer 19

PYY is released postprandially and acts on the stomach and pancreas to slow gastric emptying and inhibit insulin secretion. It reduces appetite and caloric intake, inducing a switch from homeostatic to hedonic eating.

Question 20

What is the function of Amylin in the body?

Answer 20

Amylin, co-secreted with insulin, acts on the hindbrain to reduce food intake and body weight. It limits meal size and serves as an adiposity signal.

Question 21

Define Adiponectin and its source.

Answer 21

Adiponectin is secreted from fat cells and increases energy expenditure in the body.

Question 22

How is satiation different from satiety?

Answer 22

Satiation is the process of becoming satiated and determines meal size, primarily controlled by the hindbrain. Satiety refers to the feeling of fullness and satisfaction after a meal.

Question 23

Explain sensory-specific satiety and its impact on food consumption.

Answer 23

Sensory-specific satiety is the decrease in pleasantness of eaten food compared to uneaten foods, contributing to overall satiety effects. It is measured by changes in pleasantness ratings and is beyond primary sensory neurons.

Question 24

Describe the factors that influence meal size beyond physiological aspects.

Answer 24

Meal size can be influenced by cognitive and environmental factors such as serving size, social context, and dietary restraint, impacting satiation and satiety.

Question 25

What brain regions are activated during gastric infusion of chocolate milk + guar, and why is there no significant caloric effect?

Answer 25

The amygdala, midbrain, hippocampus, and hypothalamus are activated. There is no significant caloric effect because the reaction is primarily to gastric distension, with caloric effects kicking in later.

Question 26

Explain the concept of liking in relation to food consumption.

Answer 26

Liking refers to the hedonic value of food, influencing food choices and consumption patterns based on individual preferences and sensory experiences.

Question 27

Describe the difference between liking and wanting in relation to food preferences.

Answer 27

Liking is a psychological preference linked to serotonin, while wanting is a motivation related to obtaining food, linked to depletion and dopamine.

Question 28

Explain the impact of dopamine areas in the brain on individuals who are extremely obese.

Answer 28

Individuals who are extremely obese tend to have fewer dopamine receptors in the striatum, leading to a reward deficiency and a higher need for food to attain satisfaction.

Question 29

Define delayed gratification in the food domain.

Answer 29

Delayed gratification in the food domain refers to the tendency of individuals to wait longer for a larger food reward rather than opting for an immediate but smaller food reward.

Question 30

How do cognitive effects influence people’s perception of the taste of wines based on their price?

Answer 30

People tend to rate expensive wines as tastier than cheaper wines due to cognitive effects. Changing the price label can alter perception and brain activation.

Question 31

Describe the concept of self-control in relation to food intake.

Answer 31

Self-control over food intake is considered a limited resource that can be compensated by motivation and self-control ability. Cognitive control over food intake is often unsuccessful in the long term.

Question 32

Explain the impact of covert differences on individuals who have lost weight.

Answer 32

Even after weight loss, individuals may still exhibit the same brain responses and hormone reactions as when they were obese, indicating that it takes time for the brain responses to normalize.

Question 33

Define the counteractive control theory in the context of food temptations.

Answer 33

The counteractive control theory suggests that food temptations can activate self-control mechanisms, highlighting the struggle between giving in to temptations and exerting self-control in food choices.

Question 34

How does greater activation by fattening food cues relate to calorie intake at a buffet?

Answer 34

Greater activation by fattening food cues predicts increased intake of calories from fat during unrestricted food intake at a buffet.

Question 35

Describe the correlation between brain response to high-calorie food pictures and weight change during a weight loss program.

Answer 35

Areas showing a positive correlation between brain response to high-calorie food pictures and percentage weight change during a weight loss program suggest a potential link between brain activity and weight management success.