Question

List out the various parts of the human brain and write a note on their functions.

Answer 1

• Forebrain – Center for Processing Sensory Information: The forebrain is considered as the most important part of the brain because, on account of its functioning, it distinguishes human from other animals. This part is responsible for processing sensory information, collected by different sensory organs, such as eyes, nose, ears, tongue, and skin. It is further divided into two parts, namely, diencephalon and telencephalon. The diencephalon contains thalamus and hypothalamus which control sensory and autonomic processes. Telencephalon contains the biggest part of the brain, called cerebrum.
• Midbrain – Mediating between Hindbrain and Forebrain: The midbrain acts as a bridge to transmit signals from hindbrain and forebrain. These signals mostly come from the senses of touch and hearing, collected by the specialized organs, i.e. skin and ears, respectively. The upper part of the midbrain is called optic tectum, which serves to integrate visionary and auditory data.
• Hindbrain – Control Center for Visceral Functions: The hindbrain can be further divided into 3 parts: medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebellum. The main function of this human brain structure is to control certain visceral functions in the body (including heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure). Looking at the tasks assigned to the pons, it serves to monitor the sleep and waking up functions while working in coordination with other parts of the nervous system. The cerebellum coordinates the movements of arms and legs and also plays a role in processing the sensory information that it receives from visual and auditory systems.