Functions of the Brain Year 10 – Psychology

Components of the brain The brain is made of three parts: hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain.

The Hindbrain The hindbrain is made up of the following parts: Cerebellum Medulla Pons

Cerebellum Muscle tone Coordination of voluntary motor movement Balance

Brain Stem Pons Medulla Relays messages from spinal cord Controls automatic functions including heart beat, breathing and digestion

The spinal cord Connects the brain to the body. Sends messages from the brain to the body.

The Midbrain The midbrain is located above the brain stem Responsible for the perception of stimuli and communication with the right and left hemispheres

The Forebrain The forebrain is made up of the following parts: Corpus Callosum Thalamus Hypothalamus Cerebrum

corpus callosum A bundle of nerves connecting the hemispheres of the cerebrum together

Hypothalamus and Thalamus Sleep Regulation of body temperature Thalamus Sensory perception Regulation of motor functions

The most developed part of the brain. Covered by the cerebral cortex. Cerebrum The most developed part of the brain. Covered by the cerebral cortex. Intelligence and personality Thinking Perceiving Producing and understanding language Interpretation of sensory impulses Motor function Planning and organization Touch sensation

The Cerebral Cortex Outer layer of the forebrain. Responsible for receiving information from the environment, controlling responses and higher-order thinking (problem solving and planning). Convolutions (folds) increase the surface area (volume) of the cerebral cortex. Contain large number of neurones and blood vessels for energy supply.

Lobes of the brain Parietal lobe Frontal Lobe Occipital lobe Temporal lobe

Frontal Lobe Complex thinking Planning Imaging reasoning

Temporal lobe Hearing Memory retrieval

Parietal lobe Sensory cortex Touch Taste Temperature Motor cortex (movement)

Occipital Lobe Visual cortex (sight)

Side view of the centre of the brain