Unit 1 - AP Psych Brain Anatomy & Functions

Cerebral cortex

Complex thinking

Thalamus

Directs and controls

Corpus callosum

Connects both hemispheres of the brain

Hypothalamus

Body temp regulation and homeostasis

Hippocampus

Memory

Pituitary gland

Pea-sized function, controls hormones

“Small but mighty”

Midbrain

Located in the brain stem

Pons

Relaxation and sleep

Medulla

Heart and lung

Breathing and respiration

Brainstem

Connects the brain to the body, essential to survival

Spinal cord

Holds the body up, essential to life

Cerebellum

Motor skills - balance and coordination

Amygdala

Fear

Reticular formation

Alertness

Broca’s area

Language disorder that affects a person’s ability to verbally communicate

Responsible for producing the action to speak

Wernicke’s area

Interprets codes and sends messages to Broca’s area

Angular gyrus

Transforms visual representations into auditory codes

Ex. Writing, reading, interpretation of written words