Brain Basics
Hemispheres
Neurons
Function

Brain Function Guide

Reasoning – The Neo-Cortex and the Left Hemisphere of the Frontal Lobe is associated with higher reasoning, abstract thought and problem-solving.

Emotions – Controlled by the Limbic System and Hypothalamus, which interact with the Frontal Lobe. Emotions like fear and anger will trigger the hypothalamus to release hormones in the body as a response mechanism.

Memory – The Neo-Cortex, Temporal Lobe, and Hippocampus are all involved in memory. Short-term memory of what we hear and see is based in the parietal, upper temporal and occipital lobes; long-term memory is centered in the hippocampus and the cortex of the frontal lobes.

Creativity – The Right Hemisphere of the Neo-Cortex and the Temporal Lobe are sometimes referred to as our “creative center,” while the Left Hemisphere is linked with logic and abstract problem-solving.

Consciousness – A variety of areas are involved in a coordinated effort when it comes to our conscious state of mind. Our “literal” conscious state involves the Cerebral Cortex, Frontal Lobe and the Brain Stem, but our “subjective” view of our conscious state involves the emotional center of the brain, the Limbic System.

Senses – The Parietal Lobe controls our sense of touch and sensation to hot and cold. The Frontal Lobe processes signals from our taste buds. The olfactory center of the Cortex process smells from 100 million smell receptors in our nose.

Movement – The Frontal Lobe is involved with movement as is the Cerebellum, which coordinates balance, voluntary movement and posture.

Hearing – The auditory cortex of the Temporal Lobe processes signals gathered by 30,000 nerve fibers in the ear.

Speech – Several areas of the brain process speech including, Broca’s Area in the Left Parietal Lobe and Wernicke’s Area in the Left Temporal Lobe.

Vision – The Occipital Lobe processes signals collected by the eye’s retina that have traveled along the optic nerve and through the Thalamus.

Life Functions – Our most basic life functions like breathing, circulation, and digestion are controlled by the Brain Stem.

Relevant contents

Want a Better Brain?

No Data

Got More Brain?

Have you heard, seen or read something about the brain that you’d like to share with others? Well, here’s your chance. Just submit the name and source of your information, and, after reviewing it, we’ll post it up here on BrainWorld. After all, there’s always something more to learn about the brain.