Body temperature, thirst and hunger are regulated by

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which part of the nervous system controls three things: body temperature, thirst and hunger. These are all part of homeostasis, which means keeping the body's internal conditions stable.

Step 2: The concept The brain has several parts, each with its own main job:

• Thalamus: relay station that passes sensory information (except smell) to the cerebrum.
• Hypothalamus: the control center for homeostasis. It regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, water balance, sleep cycles and emotions. It also controls the pituitary gland.
• Medulla oblongata: controls involuntary actions such as breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, swallowing, coughing and vomiting.
• Spinal cord: carries impulses to and from the brain and coordinates reflex actions.

Step 3: Solution

• Body temperature: the hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat. It triggers sweating when you are hot and shivering when you are cold.
• Thirst: the hypothalamus detects changes in blood water concentration (osmoregulation) and creates the sensation of thirst.
• Hunger: the hypothalamus has feeding and satiety centers that tell you when to eat and when to stop.

All three functions belong to the hypothalamus.

Checking the other options:

• A (thalamus) only relays sensory signals.
• C (medulla oblongata) handles breathing and heartbeat, not temperature, thirst or hunger.
• D (spinal cord) handles reflexes and impulse conduction.

Answer: B. hypothalamus

Exam tip: Remember "Hypo = Homeostasis". The hypothalamus sits under the thalamus ("hypo" means below) and works like a thermostat. Also remember "Medulla = Machine" (breathing and heartbeat run automatically). Associating each part with a keyword helps you avoid mixing them up in the exam.