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What are the parts of the diencephalon and what are their roles?

1) Thalamus - relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex
2) Hypothalamus - regulates body temperature and controls hunger and thirst
3) Epithalamus - regulates sleep-wake cycle and secretes melatonin
4) Subthalamus - involved in motor control

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The diencephalon includes the thalamus and hypothalamus. The thalamus relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex, while the hypothalamus regulates body temperature and controls hunger and thirst.

Step-by-step explanation:

The diencephalon is a region of the brain that includes the thalamus and hypothalamus. The thalamus acts as a relay station, transmitting sensory information from the spinal cord to the cerebral cortex. The hypothalamus regulates various homeostatic functions, such as body temperature, hunger, and thirst.