Question 1

How do hormones affect hunger?

Accepted Answer

When blood sugar levels are high, the pancreas secretes insulin

Insulin generally stimulates hunger and lowers blood glucose by storing glucose in fat cells

(ghrelin and cholecystokinin also cause hunger, while leptin decreases hunger)

Question 2

What is the lateral hypothalamus (LH)?

Accepted Answer

Part of the brain that causes hunger and eating behavior when stimulated

(if removed, the individual won't eat at all and starve to death; opposite of the ventromedial hypothalamus)

Question 3

What is the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)?

Accepted Answer

Brain region that stops the urge to eat when stimulated

(if removed, the organism will eat excessively and gain weight rapidly; opposite of the lateral hypothalamus)

Question 4

What is set-point theory?

Accepted Answer

Theory that each of our bodies has a set natural body weight

If we gain more weight than this point we will lose it, and if we lose weight we will gain it back

(conflicting evidence)

Question 5

What is anorexia nervosa (AN)?

Accepted Answer

An eating disorder where the individual perceives themselves as overweight and is afraid of gaining weight, despite being underweight

(affects more women; unrealistic body images)

Question 6

What is bulimia nervosa?

Accepted Answer

An eating disorder where individuals eat large quantities of food, then purge it

(purging=vomiting or taking laxatives; less cholecystokinin and low sertonin)

Question 7

What causes thirst?

Accepted Answer

Primarily fluid content of cells and blood volume, detected by osmoreceptors

Question 8

What is the sexual response cycle?

Accepted Answer

A four-stage model of human physiological response to sexual stimulation

Physiological Motives, AP Psychology Flashcards