Final answer:
Leptin, a hormone produced by adipose tissue, signals the hypothalamus to regulate appetite by inhibiting orexigenic neurons and activating anorexigenic neurons, leading to satiety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leptin is a protein hormone secreted by adipose tissues in response to food consumption that promotes satiety. In a healthy system, fat cells of adipose tissue produce leptin, which then circulates in the bloodstream and reaches the hypothalamus in the brain. Here, leptin binds to functional leptin receptors on neuroendocrine cells within the hypothalamus. This binding action triggers a cascade of signaling events that lead to the inhibition of orexigenic neurons (which stimulate appetite) and the activation of anorexigenic neurons (which suppress appetite). Consequently, this signal from leptin leads to a decreased appetite and an increased energy expenditure, both of which are vital for the regulation of body weight.
For individuals I and II in the provided scenario, understanding the normal interaction between leptin and its receptors is key to addressing their conditions. For Individual I, who does not produce leptin but has functional receptors, treatment options may involve leptin supplementation. In contrast, Individual II produces leptin but lacks functional receptors, meaning alternative strategies that bypass or restore receptor function would be necessary. Individual III faces the most complex situation since both leptin production and receptor function are compromised.