AP Psychology - Parts of the Brain

Hippocampus

in the temporal lobes; responsible for forming new memories

Amygdala

deep in the temporal lobes; anger, aggression, fears

Reticular Activating System

in the brainstem; responsible for consciousness and sleep-wake cycle

Cerebellum

at the back of the brain; responsible for coordination and balance

Thalamus

processes sensory info for sight, sound, touch, and taste (NOT smell)

Hypothalamus

below the thalamus; regulates hunger, thirst, homeostasis

Cerebral Cortex

the outer layer of the brain; responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning

Prefrontal Cortex

in the frontal lobes; responsible for executive functioning

Motor Cortex

in the frontal lobes; controls voluntary movements

Somatosensory

in the parietal lobes; senses for skin, muscles, and joints

Frontal Lobes

at the front of the brain; higher-level cognitive functions

Parietal Lobes

at the top of the brain; processes sensory info

Temporal Lobes

on the sides of the brain; processes auditory information and memory

Occipital Lobes

at the back of the brain; processes visual information

Limbic System

beneath the cerebral cortex; responsible for emotions

Pituitary Gland

very small gland at the base of the brain; regulates hormone production

Corpus Callosum

thick band of nerve fibers that connects left and right hemispheres

Medulla

at the base of the brainstem; controls your heartbeat, breathing, etc.

Central Nervous System

brain and spinal cord; commend center of the body

Neurons

specialized cell that is the building block of the nervous system

Peripheral Nervous System

all nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord

Autonomic Nervous System

part of peripheral; regulates involuntary bodily functions

Somatic Nervous System

part of peripheral; controls voluntary movements

Sympathetic Nervous System

part of autonomic; activates fight or flight

Parasympathetic Nervous System

part of autonomic; promotes relaxation and calm after stress or danger

Motor Neurons

nerve cells that carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles

Sensory Neurons

nerve cells that carry information from the senses to the brain/spinal cord

Interneurons

serve as connectors, relaying signals between sensory and motor neurons

Glial Cells

helper cells of the nervous system; cleaners and structural support