Question

What role does the stomach play in feelings of hunger?

a. pressure receptors in the stomach walls signal fullness or emptiness.
b. stomach contractions signal the brain that it is time to eat again.
c. fullness receptors and stomach contractions both play a role.
d. while there is no physiological relationship, stomach "growls" are often interpreted that we need to eat (even if we don't).

Answer 1

The stomach helps regulate hunger through contractions and hormone levels that communicate with the brain to indicate hunger or satiety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The role the stomach plays in feelings of hunger involves multiple physiological mechanisms. Stomach contractions signal the brain that it's time to eat when the stomach is empty. These contractions, together with hormones regulating digestion, tell the brain about the stomach’s fullness. When the blood glucose levels drop, the pancreas and liver generate chemical signals that induce hunger, prompting feeding behavior. Feeling satiated occurs when the stomach is full, sending signals to the brain to reduce hunger. The brain integrates various hunger and satiety signals, largely in areas of the hypothalamus and hindbrain.