Relic (Pendergast, #1)

by Douglas Preston

Gregory Kawakita, a young Assistant Curator in the Evolutionary Biology Department.

“The thalamus and the hypothalamus. The body’s regulator.” “The body’s regulator,” repeated D’Agosta.

“The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat, and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Also the sleep-wake cycle. We think it holds the centers of pleasure and pain. It’s a very complicated organ, Lieutenant.” She looked fixedly at him, anticipating a question. D’Agosta mumbled dutifully, “How does it do all that?”