Biological Systems MCAT Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Biological Systems section of the MCAT. Review detailed explanations and interactive questions to understand complex systems. Enhance your exam readiness and aim for a high score!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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Ghrelin is secreted by the gastric cells to:

Reduce appetite
Stimulate appetite
Regulate metabolism
Increase energy expenditure

The correct answer is: Stimulate appetite

Ghrelin is known as the "hunger hormone" and plays a significant role in regulating appetite. It is primarily secreted by gastric cells when the stomach is empty, signaling to the brain that the body needs food. This process stimulates appetite, making individuals feel hungry and encouraging them to seek out and consume food. The secretion of ghrelin increases before meals and decreases after eating, reinforcing its role in hunger regulation. Understanding this mechanism can help clarify how various hormones influence eating behaviors and metabolic processes. This aspect of ghrelin's function is crucial in the context of weight management and obesity, as disruptions in ghrelin signaling can lead to changes in appetite and food intake.