Function of Brain Regions

Differentiation

Process where an unspecialized neuron becomes a specialized, functional neuron with structures like dendrites and an axon

Dendrite and axon guidance

Mechanism where dendrites are attracted to signals near the brain surface while axons are repelled, creating opposite orientation (polarity) in the neuron

Synaptogenesis

Formation of synaptic connections between neurons

Target-dependent cell death

Process where excess neurons die if they do not receive enough survival signals from their target cells

NGF / BDNF

Growth factors released by target cells that support neuron survival and proper connections

Cell death gene mutations (Bcl, BAD)

Mutations that prevent normal neuron death, leading to too many surviving neurons

Synaptic pruning

Removal of weak or unused synapses to refine neural circuits

Frontal lobe

Brain region responsible for action, decision making, planning, and complex behavior

Prefrontal cortex

Part of frontal lobe involved in higher-level thinking like planning, learning, and impulse control

Primary motor cortex

Region in frontal lobe that controls voluntary movement and maps body parts

Broca’s area

Brain region responsible for producing speech

Parietal lobe

Brain region that processes sensory information and spatial awareness

Somatosensory cortex

Area that processes touch, temperature, pain, and body position

Temporal lobe

Brain region involved in hearing, memory, and language comprehension

Wernicke’s area

Region responsible for understanding language

Auditory cortex

Area that processes sound

Occipital lobe

Brain region that processes visual information

Ventral stream

Visual pathway for identifying objects (“what” pathway)

Dorsal stream

Visual pathway for processing motion and spatial location (“where” pathway)

Sensorimotor cortex

Combined system of motor and sensory areas that coordinate movement and sensory input

Corpus callosum

Bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres for communication