When the lateral hypothalamus is destroyed,rats will:
A)press a bar for food to the point of exhaustion.
B)overeat to the point of regurgitation.
C)starve to death in a cage full of food.
D)eat excessive amounts of sugary food but avoid foods high in protein.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the lateral hypothalamus is destroyed, rats will stop eating and starve to death in a cage full of food. The lateral hypothalamus is responsible for regulating hunger and initiating eating behavior, so its destruction results in a loss of appetite. Option A is incorrect because without the lateral hypothalamus, rats will not press the bar for food to the point of exhaustion. Option B is incorrect because while rats may overeat initially, they would eventually stop eating altogether without the lateral hypothalamus. Option D is incorrect because the lateral hypothalamus is not responsible for regulating food preference, only hunger and appetite.

When the Lateral Hypothalamus Is Destroyed,rats Will