The brain area that regulates activities that control the state of wakefulness or alertness of the cerebral cortex is the : a. reticular formationb. pyramidsc. limbic systemd. thalamus

a. reticular formation

Explanation:

The reticular formation is the functional system that spans the brain stem. It is composed of loosely clustered neurons present in white matter. The function of reticular formation is to regulate sensory input to the cerebral cortex and cortical arousal. It is also involved in the control of motor behavior.

Some of the neurons of the part of the reticular formation are known as the reticular activating system (RAS). These neurons send a continuous stream of impulses to the cerebral cortex and thereby keep the cortex alert and conscious. The impulses from RAS of reticular formation enhance the excitability of the cerebral cortex.

The impulses coming from all the great ascending sensory tracts also synapse with RAS neurons and serve to keep them active and enhance their stimulating effect on the cerebral cortex.