National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which part of the limbic system controls voluntary motor skills and sensory input?

1. Cerebral Cortex

2. Hypothalamus

3. Basal Ganglia

4. Reticular Activating System

The correct answer is: Cerebral Cortex

The correct choice is the cerebral cortex, as this region of the brain is primarily responsible for higher-level functions, including voluntary motor skills and processing sensory information. The cerebral cortex is divided into various lobes, each responsible for different aspects of motor control and sensory perception. For instance, the motor cortex specifically coordinates voluntary movements, while the sensory cortex processes inputs from various sensory modalities. In contrast, the other options have distinct roles that do not primarily focus on voluntary motor skills and sensory integration. The hypothalamus, for example, is crucial for regulating autonomic functions such as temperature control and hunger rather than voluntary motor actions. The basal ganglia are involved in the regulation and coordination of movement, but they primarily support automated movement patterns and do not control voluntary actions directly. The reticular activating system is more associated with arousal, attention, and the sleep-wake cycle rather than the direct manipulation of motor skills or sensory inputs.