Final answer:
The hypothalamus is responsible for hunger, thirst, sex, body temperature, and endocrine secretion. It controls the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system through its regulation of the anterior pituitary gland. Additionally, the hypothalamus is involved in memory and emotion as part of the limbic system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hypothalamus, which is located just above the brain stem and is about the size of an almond, is responsible for hunger, thirst, sex, body temperature, and endocrine secretion. It controls the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system through its regulation of the anterior pituitary gland. Additionally, the hypothalamus is involved in memory and emotion as part of the limbic system.