AP Psych - Brain Parts

Brainstem

Controls basic functions like breathing, heart rate, and sleep.

Thalamus

Passes sensory information (except smell) to the brain.

Cerebellum

Helps with balance, movement, and coordination.

Medulla/Medulla Oblongata

Manages vital functions like breathing and heartbeat.

Pons

Connects different brain areas and helps with sleep and breathing.

Reticular Formation

Controls alertness and helps with attention.

Limbic System

Handles emotions, memories, and motivation.

Hippocampus

Essential for creating and storing memories.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, and hormones.

Pituitary Gland

Produces hormones that control growth and body functions.

Amygdala

Processes emotions, especially fear and anger.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the left and right brain hemispheres.

Frontal Lobes

In charge of thinking, planning, and decision-making.

Parietal Lobes

Processes touch, spatial awareness, and body position.

Occipital Lobes

Responsible for vision.

Temporal Lobes

Handles hearing, memory, and language understanding.

Wernicke’s Area

Helps understand spoken and written language.

Broca’s Area

Allows you to speak and form words.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the brain; handles thinking, senses, and decision-making.

Visual Cortex

Processes visual information.

Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Somatosensory Cortex

Processes touch, temperature, and pain.