As a child you stepped on a wasp's nest and were stung numerous times. Many years later, you see a wasp's nest and immediately your heart begins racing and you break out in a cold sweat. This "emotional memory" is stored in what part of your brain?

• A. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
• B. The reticular formation
• C. The pineal gland
• D. The hypothalamus
• E. The amygdala

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the role of the amygdala in the brain. The amygdala is a part of the limbic system and is crucial for processing emotions, especially fear and pleasure.
2. Consider the scenario described: the emotional response of fear and anxiety upon seeing a wasp's nest. This type of emotional memory is typically associated with the amygdala.
3. The amygdala helps store memories of emotional events, which can trigger similar emotional responses when encountering similar stimuli in the future.
4. Review the other options provided: The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is involved in regulating circadian rhythms, the reticular formation is involved in arousal and consciousness, the pineal gland regulates sleep-wake cycles through melatonin, and the hypothalamus regulates various autonomic functions. None of these are primarily involved in storing emotional memories.
5. Conclude that the amygdala is the correct answer because it is specifically involved in the storage and retrieval of emotional memories, such as the fear response described in the problem.