Question

question 1 of 10
john had a head injury from an explosion, and now he cannot form new memories. his ______ was probably damaged.

a. hippocampus
b. corpus callosum
c. limbic system
d. amygdala

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The hippocampus is crucial for forming new memories (declarative memories). Damage to it can cause anterograde amnesia (inability to form new memories), which matches John's condition.
• Option B: The corpus callosum connects the two brain hemispheres, and its damage affects interhemispheric communication, not memory formation.
• Option C: The limbic system is a broader set of structures (including hippocampus, amygdala, etc.). While involved in memory, the specific structure for new memory formation is the hippocampus, so this is less precise.
• Option D: The amygdala is mainly involved in emotional processing (like fear responses), not new memory formation.

Answer:

A. hippocampus