Which brain region signals hunger when a person is hungry?

• A. Hypothalamus
• B. Amygdala
• C. Lateral Hypothalamus
• D. Ventral Tegmental Area

Answer: (C)

Hunger signaling comes from a specific part of the hypothalamus called the lateral hypothalamus, which acts as the hunger center. When energy is low or hormones like ghrelin rise, the lateral hypothalamus activates to drive feeding; stimulating it increases eating and damage to it reduces appetite. The other regions play different roles: the amygdala influences emotional and motivational aspects of feeding, the ventral tegmental area is part of the reward system, and the hypothalamus as a whole coordinates energy balance but the direct hunger signal is localized to the lateral hypothalamus.