Georgia Virtual School (GAVS) Health Exam

What term is used to describe the natural physical drive to eat?

1. Satiety

2. Appetite

3. Hunger

4. Thirst

The correct answer is: Hunger

The term that describes the natural physical drive to eat is hunger. Hunger is a physiological response that signals the body’s need for food, driven largely by biological factors such as the level of certain hormones, glucose in the bloodstream, and the functioning of various organs. It manifests as physical sensations, commonly experienced as stomach grumbling or a feeling of emptiness, which motivate an individual to seek out and consume food. In contrast, appetite is more closely related to the psychological desire to eat, which can be influenced by external factors like food availability, emotional state, or cultural practices, rather than a direct need for sustenance. Satiety relates to the feeling of fullness that occurs after eating, which prevents further intake of food until the next cycle of hunger arises. Thirst pertains specifically to the body's need for hydration and is not related to food consumption. Therefore, hunger accurately captures the intrinsic drive to eat when the body requires energy.