According to genetic explanations for obesity, how might inherited genes affect an individual's metabolic rate?

Inherited genes can influence the speed of metabolism, meaning some individuals naturally burn calories more slowly, making them more prone to weight gain even with similar food intake to others.

How do genetic factors influence fat storage efficiency in relation to obesity?

Some inherited genes promote more efficient conversion and storage of excess calories as body fat, meaning individuals with these genes store fat more readily than others.

In what way might genes affect appetite regulation and contribute to obesity?

Genes can influence the hormones and neural signals that control hunger and fullness, potentially causing some individuals to experience stronger hunger signals or weaker satiety cues.

How does genetic inheritance affect the number of fat cells a person develops?

Genes can determine how many adipocytes (fat cells) an individual develops, with more fat cells providing greater capacity for fat storage and increased obesity risk.

What pattern of concordance rates in twin studies supports genetic explanations for obesity?

Concordance rates for obesity are significantly higher in monozygotic (identical) twins than in dizygotic (fraternal) twins, suggesting genetic factors play an important role.

How do adoption studies provide evidence for genetic influences on obesity?

Adopted children's weight correlates more strongly with their biological parents than their adoptive parents, suggesting inherited genes have greater influence than the shared family environment.

AQA A-Level Psychology 7182

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Eating Behaviour

Biological explanations for obesity

6 things to know
Paper 3

Overview

Inherited risk, the thrifty gene hypothesis, the role of leptin, and neural accounts of reward and hunger signalling.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How can inherited genes raise the risk of obesity?

Process

What does the thrifty gene hypothesis claim?

Process

How does leptin feature in biological explanations of obesity?

Process

How do neural explanations of obesity describe reward and hunger signalling?

Study

What evidence supports genetic explanations of obesity?

Evaluation

Evaluate biological explanations of obesity.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
According to genetic explanations for obesity, how might inherited genes affect an individual's metabolic rate?
Model answer
Inherited genes can influence the speed of metabolism, meaning some individuals naturally burn calories more slowly, making them more prone to weight gain even with similar food intake to others.
2
How do genetic factors influence fat storage efficiency in relation to obesity?
Model answer
Some inherited genes promote more efficient conversion and storage of excess calories as body fat, meaning individuals with these genes store fat more readily than others.
3
In what way might genes affect appetite regulation and contribute to obesity?
Model answer
Genes can influence the hormones and neural signals that control hunger and fullness, potentially causing some individuals to experience stronger hunger signals or weaker satiety cues.
4
How does genetic inheritance affect the number of fat cells a person develops?
Model answer
Genes can determine how many adipocytes (fat cells) an individual develops, with more fat cells providing greater capacity for fat storage and increased obesity risk.
5
What pattern of concordance rates in twin studies supports genetic explanations for obesity?
Model answer
Concordance rates for obesity are significantly higher in monozygotic (identical) twins than in dizygotic (fraternal) twins, suggesting genetic factors play an important role.
6
How do adoption studies provide evidence for genetic influences on obesity?
Model answer
Adopted children's weight correlates more strongly with their biological parents than their adoptive parents, suggesting inherited genes have greater influence than the shared family environment.

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