GI physiology: appetite regulation: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · GI physiology: appetite regulation

Sample item

A 6-year-old child with Prader-Willi syndrome has relentless hunger and obesity. Which gut hormone is characteristically elevated and acts on the arcuate nucleus to stimulate appetite?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ghrelin

Ghrelin is secreted mainly by endocrine cells of the gastric fundus, rises before meals and falls after eating. It stimulates NPY and AgRP neurons of the arcuate nucleus and increases hunger, and levels are markedly high in Prader-Willi syndrome. Peptide YY and cholecystokinin promote satiety, and leptin from adipocytes inhibits intake.

Option by option

  • A. Leptin

    Leptin is an adipocyte hormone that inhibits appetite rather than a gut hormone.

  • B. Cholecystokinin

    Cholecystokinin signals satiety through vagal afferents.

  • C. Ghrelin (correct)

    Ghrelin is the orexigenic gut hormone and is raised in this syndrome.

  • D. Peptide YY

    Peptide YY is released from the distal gut after meals and reduces appetite.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is C, Ghrelin. Ghrelin is secreted mainly by endocrine cells of the gastric fundus, rises before meals and falls after eating.

Why is "Leptin" not the answer?

Leptin is an adipocyte hormone that inhibits appetite rather than a gut hormone.

Why is "Cholecystokinin" not the answer?

Cholecystokinin signals satiety through vagal afferents.

Why is "Peptide YY" not the answer?

Peptide YY is released from the distal gut after meals and reduces appetite.

What concept does this question test?

It tests GI physiology: appetite regulation in Physiology. It stimulates NPY and AgRP neurons of the arcuate nucleus and increases hunger, and levels are markedly high in Prader-Willi syndrome. Peptide YY and cholecystokinin promote satiety, and leptin from adipocytes inhibits intake.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study GI physiology: appetite regulation?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.