Which functional area of the brain is responsible for keeping the cortex alert and conscious and enhancing its excitability?
a. frontal eye fields.
b. reticular activating system.
c. broca's area.
d. limbic system.

The correct answer is b. reticular activating system.

Explanation:

The reticular activating system is located before the hypothalamus and mainly controls the activation of the awakening system and the day/night oscillations. Therefore, it's responsible for the consciousness states when sleeping.

answer///unconditioned stimulus;