the limbic system

hippocampus

a part of the limbic system that is important for forming new memories

amygdala

a part of the limbic system that controls emotional responses such as fear and aggression

hypothalamus

helps regulate basic bodily functions like hunger, thirst, and body temperature

thalamus

acts as a relay station, sending sensory information (except smell) to different parts of the brain

smell

is closely connected to the limbic system, which is why certain scents can trigger strong memories

which part of the limbic system is most directly involved in storing long-term memories?

hippocampus

what is the main function of the amygdala?

processing emotions such as fear

which of the following is not considered part of the limbic system?

cerebellum

what is the hypothalamus responsible for?

regulating hunger and body temperature

why are smells often linked with strong memories?

olfactory signals travel through the limbic system, which is involved in emotion and memory

eeg

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

meg

a brain imaging technique that measures the magnetic fields produced by the brain’s natural electrical activity

ct scan

a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by a computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure

pet scan

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

mri

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue, showing brain anatomy

what is included in the limbic system?

the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus

what is the limbic system?

the neural system associated with emotions and drives

explain how the limbic system can influence a person’s behavior in a stressful situation

• initiates the "fight or flight" response

• manages emotional memories

• controls the physical changes your body experiences when it senses danger

describe how the hippocampus and amygdala work together to help you remember emotional events

• the amygdala marks emotional events as important

• the hippocampus then prioritizes storing these emotional memories more vividly and for a longer duration than neutral memories

why might damage to the hippocampus affect a person’s ability to form new memories?

• the hippocampus is essential for transferring new experiences from short-term to long-term memory

• damage can prevent the brain from creating and moving new information to long-term storage