Question

in a study on the effects of stress on the brain, neuroscientists sunita kumar, ethan wilson, and others examined the brains of rats exposed to stressful situations. the researchers found that stress caused inflammation in the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory and learning. they also discovered that this inflammation reduced the rats ability to form new memories. they concluded that stress is likely to ______ which choice most logically completes the text? choose 1 answer. a increase an individuals ability to learn new information. b decrease an individuals ability to form new memories. c increase an individuals ability to combat inflammation in the brain. d decrease an individuals hippocampal inflammation.

Explanation:

The text states that stress caused inflammation in the hippocampus (a brain part for memory and learning) and this inflammation reduced rats' ability to form new memories. So the conclusion should be related to stress reducing memory - forming ability.

• Option A: The text says stress reduces memory - forming (related to learning new info as memory is part of learning), not increases.
• Option B: Matches the finding that stress - induced inflammation reduces memory - forming ability.
• Option C: The text says stress causes inflammation, not increases ability to combat it.
• Option D: The text says stress causes inflammation, not decreases it.

Answer:

B. decrease an individual’s ability to form new memories.