psych biology vocab: brain parts

brain stem

the oldest part and central core of the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions

medulla

regulates breathing, heart rate

pons

help coordinate movement and regulate brain during sleep cycle

reticular formation

bundle of nerves that keep the brain awake and alert

thalamus

the brain's sensory switchboard, it directs nearly all messages to the sensory areas in the brain and transmits replies

cerebellum

control those complex movements we perform

limbic system

a neutral system associated with emotions and drives

hippocampus

helps process explicit memories for storage

amygdala

linked to emotion, like aggression and fear

hypothalamus

directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system; linked to emotion and reward (Food, Fight, Flight, Sexual Intercourse)

cerebral cortex

intricate fabric of neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres: control and information-processing center

frontal lobes

speaking, muscle movements, and making plans and judgements

motor cortex

controls the body's voluntary movement

parietal lobes

receive sensory input for touch and body position, helps you locate yourself in 3D space

somatosensory cortex

processing area for sensations of touch, temperature; pain and pleasure from all your body

occipital lobes

receive information from visual fields

visual cortex

we process our visuals

temporal lobes

processes speech, sounds, smells, stores long term memory

association cortex

combine information from various parts of the brain. Not involved primarily in motor or sensory functions, but seems to connect parts to allow us to performs "higher" functions. Helps us learn, think, remember, and speak