Major Brain Structures to Know for Intro to Brain and Behavior

Understanding major brain structures is key to grasping how our thoughts, emotions, and actions work. Each part of the brain plays a unique role, from decision-making to memory formation, shaping our behavior and experiences every day.

1. Cerebral cortex

   • The outermost layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level functions such as thought, reasoning, and decision-making.
   • Divided into four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital, each with specific functions.
   • Involved in sensory perception, motor control, and language processing.

2. Cerebellum

   • Located at the back of the brain, it plays a crucial role in coordination and balance.
   • Responsible for fine-tuning motor movements and learning motor skills.
   • Involved in cognitive functions such as attention and language.

3. Brainstem

   • Connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
   • Composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
   • Acts as a relay center for signals between the brain and the body.

4. Hippocampus

   • Essential for the formation of new memories and learning.
   • Plays a role in spatial navigation and the consolidation of information from short-term to long-term memory.
   • Vulnerable to stress and damage, which can lead to memory impairments.

5. Amygdala

   • Involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure.
   • Plays a key role in the formation of emotional memories and responses.
   • Connects with various brain regions to influence behavior and decision-making.

6. Thalamus

   • Acts as the brain's relay station, processing and transmitting sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.
   • Involved in regulating sleep, alertness, and consciousness.
   • Plays a role in the integration of sensory and motor signals.

7. Hypothalamus

   • Regulates vital bodily functions such as temperature, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms.
   • Controls the endocrine system by influencing hormone release from the pituitary gland.
   • Plays a role in emotional responses and autonomic nervous system functions.

8. Basal ganglia

   • A group of nuclei involved in the regulation of voluntary motor control and movement coordination.
   • Plays a role in habit formation and procedural learning.
   • Dysfunction in this area is associated with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

9. Corpus callosum

   • A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
   • Facilitates communication and coordination between the two hemispheres.
   • Plays a role in integrating sensory and cognitive functions across both sides of the brain.

10. Prefrontal cortex

    • Located at the front of the brain, it is involved in complex cognitive behavior, decision-making, and social interactions.
    • Plays a key role in personality expression and moderating social behavior.
    • Important for executive functions such as planning, problem-solving, and impulse control.