Which hormone is associated with hunger and is secreted when the stomach is empty?

Which hormone is associated with hunger and is secreted when the stomach is empty?

• A. Ghrelin
• B. Leptin
• C. Serotonin
• D. Dopamine

Answer: (A)

Hunger signals are produced to reflect short-term energy needs, and ghrelin is the key hormone here. Secreted by the stomach when it’s empty, ghrelin travels to the hypothalamus and activates neurons that promote appetite, essentially telling you to eat. Its levels rise before meals and fall after eating, which is why it’s closely tied to the sensation of hunger. Leptin, in contrast, comes from fat tissue and signals fullness and longer-term energy stores, helping regulate overall energy balance rather than the immediate hunger signal. Serotonin and dopamine are brain chemicals that influence mood and reward; they can affect eating behavior, but they aren’t the stomach-derived signal that indicates an empty stomach and triggers hunger.

Hunger signals are produced to reflect short-term energy needs, and ghrelin is the key hormone here. Secreted by the stomach when it’s empty, ghrelin travels to the hypothalamus and activates neurons that promote appetite, essentially telling you to eat. Its levels rise before meals and fall after eating, which is why it’s closely tied to the sensation of hunger.

Leptin, in contrast, comes from fat tissue and signals fullness and longer-term energy stores, helping regulate overall energy balance rather than the immediate hunger signal. Serotonin and dopamine are brain chemicals that influence mood and reward; they can affect eating behavior, but they aren’t the stomach-derived signal that indicates an empty stomach and triggers hunger.