As part of a research project Dr. Smirnov destroys part of the ventromedial hypothalamus of a laboratory rat. This operation is most likely to:

a. cause the animal to eat excessively until it becomes obese.
b. lower the animal's set point for body weight.
c. raise the animal's blood insulin levels.
d. raise the animal's set point for body weight.

Ans: b. lower the animal's set point for body weight.