Final answer:
The electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus in rats can elicit various responses and behaviors depending on the specific area being stimulated. Lesions to the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus disrupt a male rat's ability to engage in sexual behavior, but not his motivation to do so.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus in rats can elicit various responses and behaviors depending on the specific area being stimulated. One example is the role of the hypothalamus in sexual behavior and motivation. Lesions to the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus disrupt a male rat's ability to engage in sexual behavior, but not his motivation to do so. This suggests that the ability to engage in sexual behavior and the motivation to do so are mediated by different neural systems.