- Scientists found how the brain prepares the body.
- Smells or sights of food can start this.
- The brain sends signals to the pancreas.
- These signals make insulin appear before eating.
- Researchers used mice to study the process.
- Mice without a key enzyme reacted less.
- Those mice approached food and ate less.
- Later, these mice became heavier and showed illness.
Difficult words
- pancreas — an organ that makes insulin and digestive juices
- insulin — a hormone that helps control blood sugar
- enzyme — a protein that helps chemical reactions happen
- researcher — a person who studies and tests thingsResearchers
- prepare — to get something ready before it happensprepares
- mouse — a small animal often used in experimentsmice
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do smells or sights of food make you hungry?
- Do you eat soon after you see food?
- Have you ever seen a mouse?
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