OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

What role does the hypothalamus play in the body?

1. It regulates emotions

2. It maintains body temperature at normal levels

3. It is involved in visual processing

4. It produces digestive enzymes

The correct answer is: It maintains body temperature at normal levels

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis within the body, which includes regulating body temperature. It acts as a thermostat for the body, detecting changes in temperature and initiating responses to either conserve or dissipate heat. For example, if the body's temperature rises, the hypothalamus can trigger mechanisms such as sweating and increased blood flow to the skin to help cool the body down. Conversely, if the body temperature falls, it can initiate shivering and other processes to generate heat. The other roles mentioned in the options are associated with different areas of the brain. While the hypothalamus has some involvement with emotional regulation, it is not its primary function. Visual processing is primarily managed by the occipital lobe, and digestive enzymes are produced by the pancreas and other glands, not the hypothalamus. Therefore, the primary function of the hypothalamus in relation to body temperature regulation is what makes it the correct answer.