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Jennifer has been depressed for several months, and she decided to take an overdose of sleeping pills. After taking the pills, her breathing rate decreased dramatically, her heart slowed down, and her blood pressure decreased. Which brain structure is the drug acting on? a. medulla b. pons c. reticular formation d. amygdala

User Milney
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Answer:

c. reticular formation

Step-by-step explanation:

Some of the functions of the reticular complex are cardiovascular control, somatic motor control, which includes breathing and swallowing, as well as some of the eye and ear function. It is also involved in pain modulation, sleep and alertness regulation (a serious damage could result in a comatose state), regulation of the attention, among other functions. Given the signs listed in the question (her breathing rate decreased dramatically, her heart slowed down, and her blood pressure decreased.), it indicates that the structure the drug is acting on, is the reticular complex. Also, being sleeping pills, it is very likely that they are targeted to there.

User Benyamin Jafari
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