The ventromedial hypothalamus acts as a satiety center and signals fullness.

• A. Lateral hypothalamus
• B. Ventromedial hypothalamus
• C. Amygdala
• D. Hippocampus

Answer: (B)

Feeding behavior is controlled by the brain, with different regions signaling hunger and fullness. The ventromedial hypothalamus acts as the satiety center: when it’s activated, it signals that enough food has been eaten and helps stop further intake. It listens to body signals and hormones, like leptin, indicating energy stores and current fullness, so you feel satisfied after a meal. If this area isn’t functioning well, the fullness signal can be weakened, making it easier to overeat.

In contrast, the lateral hypothalamus serves as the hunger center—stimulation here tends to increase eating, and damage can reduce appetite. The amygdala is more about emotion and reward, which can influence eating in emotional contexts, while the hippocampus handles memory and can influence future eating by remembering meals and contexts, but it doesn’t set the core fullness signal.