Endocrine Weight Loss Hormones and Appetite Regulation

Question 1

Which hormone, primarily secreted by the stomach, is known as the 'hunger hormone' because it rises before meals?

Accepted Answer

Ghrelin

Answer

Ghrelin, secreted by gastric X/A-like cells, rises before meals and stimulates appetite by acting on hypothalamic receptors.

Question 2

Leptin exerts its primary anti-obesity effect by acting on receptors in which brain region?

Accepted Answer

Arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus

Answer

Leptin acts on LepR-expressing neurons in the arcuate nucleus, particularly inhibiting NPY/AgRP neurons while activating POMC neurons to reduce food intake.

Question 3

A morbidly obese patient has very high circulating leptin levels yet continues to overeat. This phenomenon is called:

Accepted Answer

Leptin resistance

Answer

Leptin resistance occurs when the brain fails to respond appropriately to elevated leptin signals, a hallmark of obesity that perpetuates further weight gain.

Question 4

Peptide YY (PYY) is released by L-cells in the distal gut in response to food intake and primarily acts to:

Accepted Answer

Inhibit appetite and slow gastric emptying

Answer

PYY is a satiety hormone that inhibits food intake by acting on hypothalamic Y2 receptors and slows gastric emptying to promote fullness.

Question 5

Which neuropeptides in the arcuate nucleus are classified as orexigenic (appetite-stimulating)?

Accepted Answer

NPY and AgRP

Answer

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) are potent orexigenic signals that increase food intake and decrease energy expenditure.

Endocrine Weight Loss Practice Test

Endocrine Weight Loss Practice Test

Endocrine Weight Loss Hormones and Appetite Regulation