Question

in a study on the effects of stress on the brain, neuroscientists sonita kienar, ethan wilson, and others monitored 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?
choice 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 reduces rats' ability to form new memories. Since the study is about the general effects of stress on the brain, it is logical to conclude that stress has a similar effect on individuals. So, stress is likely to decrease an individual's ability to form new memories.

Answer:

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