PSYCH 1XX3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Neuropeptide Y, Adipose Tissue, Blood Sugar

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH 1XX3
• Professor: Christopher Teeter

Document Summary

There are many signals and complex interactions between the brain and digestive system that drive your feelings of hunger to consume food and drink and satiety signals which lead you to stop consumption. When you are fasting one of the main reasons you feel hungry s 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. Naturally you can"t spend your entire time consuming food to maintain the glucose demand. 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 when your circulating blood glucose levels are low. This glucose-glycogen balance is mediated to a large degree by the liver and a pancreatic hormone called insulin.