PSYCH 1NN3 Lecture Notes - Opioid Receptor, Adipose Tissue, Leptin

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH 1NN3
• Professor: Joe Kim

Document Summary

Psych 1xx3 hunger and chemical senses notes mar 26, 2010. Human evolutionary past: food sources were scarce and behaviours were motivated by the constant need to obtain energy and nutrients essential to survival. Feeding behaviours may be motivated by hunger and satiety signals, but are guided by the interaction of the senses of taste and smell. One of the main reasons that you feel hungry is low blood glucose levels. You are very sensitive to the level of glucose in your blood, and this directly relates to your feelings of hunger. To keep your brain constantly supplied with energy, your body can store glucose in the form of glycogen which can be released in between meals. Some glycogen is stored in the muscles, but the main supply is in your liver where it can be readily converted back into glucose. This glucose-glycogen balance is mediated to a large degree by the liver and a pancreatic hormone called insulin.