Final answer:
Anterograde amnesia, a type of amnesia caused by brain trauma, sheds light on the functions of memories. The inability to form new memories following brain injury indicates the involvement of the hippocampus in memory consolidation and transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The properties of amnesia, specifically anterograde amnesia, provide insights into the functions of memories. Anterograde amnesia is characterized by the inability to form new memories after brain trauma. This suggests that the hippocampus, a structure in the temporal lobe responsible for memory consolidation, is affected. Damage to the hippocampus impairs the transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory, highlighting its role in memory formation.