Final answer:
The hormone leptin plays an important role in regulating body weight. Leptin is primarily produced by adipose tissue in response to food intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
Here is how leptin functions in regulating body weight:
1. Leptin production:
- Adipose tissue releases leptin into the bloodstream in proportion to the amount of fat stored in the body.
- When body fat increases, more leptin is produced, and when body fat decreases, less leptin is produced.
2. Signaling mechanism:
- Leptin acts as a signal to the brain, specifically the hypothalamus, which is involved in regulating appetite and energy balance.
- The hypothalamus receives the leptin signal and interprets it to adjust food intake and energy expenditure accordingly.
3. Appetite regulation:
- Leptin helps regulate appetite by suppressing hunger and promoting satiety.
- When leptin levels are high, it signals to the brain that the body has enough energy stores, leading to a reduction in appetite and food intake.
- Conversely, low levels of leptin signal the brain to increase appetite and food intake.
4. Energy expenditure:
- Leptin also influences energy expenditure by increasing the body's metabolic rate.
- Higher leptin levels activate processes that increase energy expenditure, such as increasing thermogenesis (heat production) and promoting physical activity.