Dante is given his first kitten. While holding it and feeling how soft her fur is, he puts her up to his face. In a playful gesture, the kitten taps his face with her paw and her nails scratch Dante's nose. Frightened, he drops the kitten. His decision to drop the kitten was set in motion by the brain's _________ region:
A)cerebellum
B) amygdala
C) right prefrontal cortex
D) cerebral cortex
I chose C, but D is throwing me off. Please help!
C is the correct answer according to my book.
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the functions and roles of the brain regions mentioned. Let's break down each option:
A) Cerebellum: The cerebellum is primarily responsible for coordinating movement, posture, and balance. While it is involved in motor functions, it is not directly related to the emotional or fear response that Dante experiences in this situation. Therefore, it is unlikely to be the correct answer.
B) Amygdala: The amygdala is a part of the brain that plays a crucial role in the processing and regulation of emotions, including fear. It is involved in the fight-or-flight response and can trigger a fear reaction. Given that Dante experiences fear and drops the kitten after scratching his nose, the amygdala seems to be a possible candidate.
C) Right prefrontal cortex: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for various higher cognitive functions, such as decision-making, personality, and social behavior. While it can play a role in regulating emotions, it is less likely to solely drive Dante's immediate reaction in this scenario. Therefore, it seems less probable that the right prefrontal cortex is the correct answer.
D) Cerebral cortex: The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain that plays a fundamental role in numerous higher-level cognitive processes, such as perception, consciousness, memory, and attention. It encompasses various regions, including the prefrontal cortex mentioned earlier. However, the cerebral cortex as a whole does not provide a specific answer related to Dante's fear response in this situation.
Based on the explanations above, the most appropriate answer is B) Amygdala. The amygdala is closely associated with emotional responses, including fear, and is likely responsible for Dante's decision to drop the kitten due to his frightened reaction.