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Multiple Choice
In the sheep brain, what is the primary function of the optic chiasm?
A
It produces cerebrospinal fluid for the brain.
B
It is the site where optic nerve fibers partially cross to the opposite side of the brain.
C
It controls voluntary muscle movements.
D
It regulates hormone secretion from the pituitary gland.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by identifying the optic chiasm as a structure in the brain. It is located at the base of the brain, near the hypothalamus, and is part of the visual system.
Step 2: Understand the role of the optic chiasm in vision. It is the site where some optic nerve fibers from each eye cross to the opposite side of the brain. This partial crossing is crucial for binocular vision and depth perception.
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options based on the function of the optic chiasm. For example, it does not produce cerebrospinal fluid (this is the role of the choroid plexus), control voluntary muscle movements (this is managed by the motor cortex and cerebellum), or regulate hormone secretion (this is the role of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland).
Step 4: Focus on the correct answer: The optic chiasm is specifically involved in the partial crossing of optic nerve fibers, which allows visual information from both eyes to be processed by both hemispheres of the brain.
Step 5: Conclude that the primary function of the optic chiasm is to facilitate the partial crossing of optic nerve fibers to the opposite side of the brain, enabling integrated visual processing.