The document summarizes the main parts and functions of the human brain. It discusses how the medulla oblongata regulates involuntary functions like breathing and heart rate. The pons relays messages between parts of the brain. The cerebellum controls motor skills and balance. The hypothalamus regulates behaviors and bodily functions. The amygdala and hippocampus are involved in emotions, fear responses, and memory formation. The thalamus relays sensory information. The corpus callosum connects the brain's hemispheres. The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer that performs higher functions. In conclusion, the brain's many parts work together to control all human functions and behavior.

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Written Assignment – A Tour of the Brain
Rasmussen College
Angel Elam
Author Note:
This assignment is being submitted on October 9th, 2016 for Kehiante Mckinley’s
G148/PSY1012 Section 04 General Psychology class.

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The human brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It generates the whole
nervous system by transmitting impulse messages through neurons. There are approximately 86
billion neurons in just the brain alone. These impulses regulate a variety of our daily functions
such as; talking, balancing, movement, and behavior. Let’s take a deeper look into how and
where these functions occur.
The first and most important part of the brain is found in the lower part of the brain stem
called the medulla oblongata. This area of the brain functions involuntary, without any thought.
We wouldn’t be able to survive without this portion of our brain because it regulates our ability
to breath, swallow, and regulate blood pressure and our heart rate, as well as other life sustaining
functions. Right above the medulla is where the pons can be found. This is where the upper and
lower part of the brain connect. The job of the pons is to relay several different messages to
different areas of the brain. We would not be able to function without a working pons because
the messages wouldn’t be able to be transmitted to the necessary areas of the brain. Another very
important part of the human brain is the cerebellum, found in the lower area of the brain below
the pons. The cerebellum is ran off of voluntary tasks, with thought and intent. Some tasks that
this area of the brain control include; balance, coordination of motor activity, fine muscle
control, and the ability to walk and write. If an individual suffers from brain damage in this area
they would find it difficult to keep their balance as well as maintain proper muscle coordination.
Next is the hypothalamus, found right above the pituitary gland and below the thalamus. This
area of the brain is in charge of our motivational behaviors, as well as helping our body maintain
a consistent temperature, and plays an important role in connecting our endocrine system with
the nervous system. We are able to detect when we are hungry or thirsty because of this section
in the brain. Right underneath the hypothalamus is the amygdala. Also found at the end of the

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hippocampus. This area of the brain is in charge on our response and memory of emotions, fear,
and aggression. We react to different stimuli when put into emotional, threatening, stressful, or
dangerous situations using the amygdala part of our brain. It may be small but it plays a huge
impact in how we act. Right next to the amygdala is the hippocampus area of the brain. It is part
of the limbic system in each side of the temporal lobe. This area of the brain is in charge of
processing long term memory and emotional response. Alzheimer’s disease affects this portion
of the brain by causing individuals to lose their memory. They suffer from being able to
remember friends and family as well as where they even live. The next area of the brain is part of
the forebrain, right below the corpus callosum, called the thalamus. This portion of the brain is in
charge of relaying information from the sensory receptors (auditory, tactile, and gustatory
signals) onto other areas of the brain where the information can be processed. Right above the
thalamus is the corpus callosum. This part of the brain connects the right and left hemispheres of
the brain together so that they can communicate and pass messages through neural transmitters.
Lastly the brains outermost layer is called the cerebral cortex.
In conclusion the brain is made up of many different areas that produce different tasks
and functions needed for daily living. We would not be able to function of live a normal life if
any area of the brain is damaged. Some damage is more severe than others, but all effect the way
we would live. Our brain simply controls everything we do.

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References
Information retrieved on October 9th, 2016 from:
https://learning.rasmussen.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_12727_1
&content_id=_1050523_1
Information retrieved on October 9th, 2016 from:
https://content.learntoday.info/Thuze/Psychology_The_Human_Puzzle/OEBPS/text/book.html?p
age=1#
Information retrieved on October 9th, 2016 from:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/know_your_brain.htm