The area of the brain stem that plays a role in consciousness and the awake/sleep cycle is the HomeNervous System MCQsThe area of the brain stem that plays a role in consciousness and the awake/sleep cycle is theNervous System MCQsQ. The area of the brain stem that plays a role in consciousness and the awake/sleep cycle is the:thalamusreticular activating system (RAS)pineal glandlimbic systemcerebellumAnswer: pineal gland