An individual has just finished a large holiday dinner and reports feeling 'stuffed' and has no desire for dessert. Based on the physiological regulation of eating, which combination of events is most responsible for this feeling of fullness?

Satiation is the feeling of fullness and satisfaction experienced after a meal, which signals the cessation of eating behavior. This state is regulated by a variety of physiological mechanisms.

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Satiation, the feeling of fullness that stops eating, is controlled by several physiological signals sent to the brain. Key mechanisms include rising blood glucose levels, which cause the pancreas and liver to send 'shut-off' signals; feedback from the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract; and the release of the satiety hormone leptin from fat cells.

Physiological Mechanisms of Satiation

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Following a meal, blood glucose levels rise, prompting the pancreas and liver to generate chemical signals. These signals are sent to the brain to suppress hunger and halt eating behavior, thereby contributing to the feeling of satiation.

Increased Blood Glucose as a Satiety Signal

The movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract provides the brain with important satiety signals. This feedback mechanism contributes to the feeling of fullness and satisfaction, playing a crucial role in stopping eating behavior.

Gastrointestinal Satiety Signals

Satiation

Leptin is a satiety hormone produced by fat cells and released into the bloodstream. It signals fullness to the brain, helping to regulate eating behavior by shutting it off. Leptin receptors are found in various brain regions, including the choroid plexus, cortex, and several hypothalamic nuclei. Genetic defects in the gene responsible for leptin production can cause a false underreporting of body fat, leading to overeating and obesity.

Leptin

Analyze the following scenario and identify the most likely impaired physiological mechanism of satiation, explaining your reasoning.

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