Question

If you were the subject in this heinous (and thankfully fictional) experiment, which three brain structures would you give up? NOTE: You must choose specific parts of the brain, not brain regions. Students are not permitted to choose any of the four lobes or the cerebral cortex for removal.

I choose Amygdala, Thalamus and hypothalamus.

b) Explain why you chose those structures and describe what your life would be like without them.

Answer 1

I choose Amygdala, Thalamus and hypothalamus to be removed if I were part of this heinous experiment.

Amygdala is directly responsible for the emotions and past memories that would make me more emotional and remember unwanted events. Although this would help me remain neutral to strong emotions and help me remain peaceful, it would also make me forget important events that would make me happy. Thalamus’ primary function is to relay sensory information through the spinal cord and brainstem. Without this ability, the brain wouldn’t be able to make sense of the world outside and create schemas that would help one interpret the environment around one. Although hypothalamus plays many important roles, one of the most important roles it plays is with the autonomic nervous system which enables one to make preventive actions without any conscious effort. Without this function, one might undergo many unpleasant events that would affect one negatively.

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