The ________ plays a central role in regulating eating.

A) thalamus
B) hypothalamus
C) hippocampus
D) amygdala

The hypothalamus is the region of the brain that plays a central role in regulating eating. It receives input from hormones (such as leptin and ghrelin) that signal hunger and fullness, as well as from sensory information from the digestive system and the taste and smell of food. The hypothalamus then sends signals to other parts of the brain to initiate or stop eating behaviors.