• Question: what is the Limbic System and what does it do? :)

    Asked by gugugaga to Damien, Rachael, Suzi, Tim on 23 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      Hi @gugugaga
      The limbic system is an area in the middle of the brain. It contains bits of the brain like the amygdala and the hippocampus, and is thought to be involved in emotion, memory, control of our body responses (such as homeostasis) and our sensory and movement functions.

      It is thought that it is evolutionarily quite old, so controls our more ‘basic’ functions, rather than the complex thought and behaviours that are controlled by the outer layer of the brain, the cerebrum.

      Hope this answers your question, let me know if you want more info 🙂

    • Photo: Tim Fosker

      Tim Fosker answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @gugugaga

      I can’t really add much to what Suzi has said. You can see a cool 3D video of the limbic system here:

      http://www.neuroanatomy.ca/3D_files/limbic_system/limbic_labelled.swf

      Interestingly the limbic system involved in memory and emotion (as Suzi said) is tied into the olfactory bulb (the centre for smell), that explains why smells seem to produce strong memories and emotions.

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