Which system includes the amygdala and hippocampus?

The correct answer is the limbic system, which is crucial for understanding emotional responses, behavior, and memory. The amygdala plays a key role in processing emotions such as fear and pleasure, and it is involved in the formation of emotional memories. The hippocampus is essential for the formation of new memories and is also involved in learning and spatial navigation.

The limbic system encompasses a variety of structures that interact to regulate emotions and memory. It acts as a bridge between the higher cognitive functions of the brain and basic emotional responses, making it essential for emotional regulation and behavioral responses to environmental stimuli.

In contrast, the basal ganglia are primarily involved in the regulation of voluntary motor movements and procedural learning, the thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information to the cerebral cortex, and the hypothalamus is integral in maintaining homeostasis and regulating autonomic functions such as hunger, thirst, and sleep cycles. Each of these systems serves distinct functions that do not directly include the emotional and memory-related responsibilities of the amygdala and hippocampus.