AP PYSCH Brain Parts

Brainstem

Automatic survival functions; basic life processes.

Medulla

Controls breathing, heart rate, and vital reflexes.

Pons

Sleep, arousal, facial movements, and message relay.

Midbrain

Movement, visual/auditory processing, dopamine pathways.

Reticular Formation

Alertness, arousal, attention regulation.

Thalamus

Sensory relay center to cortex.

Hypothalamus

Hunger, thirst, body temp, hormones.

Hippocampus

Forms new memories; learning.

Amydala

Fear, emotion, aggression processing.

Cerebellum

Balance, coordination, fine motor skills.

Cerebrum

Higher thinking, perception, voluntary actions.

Corpus Callosum

Connects brain hemispheres; communication.

Frontal Lobe

Planning, decision-making, movement, personality, speech.

Parietal Lobe

Touch, spatial awareness, body sensations.

Temporal Lobe

Hearing, memory, language understanding.

Occipital Lobe

Visual processing; interprets what you see.