Major regions of the brain and their functions on behavior Essay

The brain is a complex structure that is divided into specialized parts or regions that perform specialized function. The importance of specialization and brain parts division is not only in brain processing information and generating responses, but the specific impact on behavior of an individual generated by each specialized part. In this regard, the brain has three main regions: cerebral cortex, limbic system and the brain stem (Charles, 2002). The brain stem is the most primitive part of the brain that is located at the joint where the spinal cord enters the brain (Charles, 2002). This part of the brain contains such sub-parts as reticular activity system, medulla and the Pons. The main function of this part of the brain is for autonomic functions deemed as necessary for survival such as health, food, shelter and security seeking behaviors. For instance, when a person falls ill, the brain stem triggers off the course of action to seek medication or health care, thus such an individual shall move towards the hospital premises than to any other direction of food or security. The cerebral cortex is brain region that is on outer part that covers the brain (Charles, 2002). By virtue of covering the brain, the cerebral cortex is considered as the largest part of the brain. The behavioral function of the cerebral cortex involves higher cognitive processes such as memory process that enhances language, thought and learning. Therefore, behaviors such as performance in academic work, ability to retain and remember, verbal fluency and speech development are controlled and generated by the cerebral cortex. Limbic system (Charles, 2002) is the third region of the brain with structures such as hippocampus, thalamus, amygdale and hypothalamus. This part of the brain is responsible for emotional related behaviors of individuals such as motivation, memory functions, and physiological functions. For instance, amygdale is responsible for behaviors such as anger, fear and aggression. The hippocampus sub-structure involves the functions of memory such as information coding and processing into short term and long term memories. Hypothalamus is responsible for emotional behaviors such as hunger, sexual feelings, thirsty and reproduction behaviors. The sensory process as these scenarios unfolds The process and action of hitting the ball produces a cracking sound that travels through air to the ears as a sound sensory organ. The sound message is received and conveyed by ears sensory nerves to the central nervous system (CNS). The central nervous system in return initiates nerve impulse to send the message to the brain. In the brain the thalamus located within the limbic system received the message through sensory receptors found in peripheral nervous system and then forwards the message to the cerebral cortex for analysis and interpretation and then generate feedback message to the sight sensory organs (Albert, 2002). After interpretation of the of the ball sound in the brain by the cerebral cortex, the message is generated back through the same avenue that to the thalamus that will send impulse to the sight sensory organ: eye. The eyes muscles shall be involved in a reflex action to adjust and pay attention to the ball that has been hit. Therefore, ball movement is traced by the eye. However, since the eye does not have the capacity to catch the ball apart from observing it; the sight sensory nerves within the eyes send a message to the brain to prepare necessary mechanism to catch the ball (Albert, 2002). Once the message has been generated by the sight sensory nerves to the brain, the brain through thalamus receives the message through the sensory receptors found in peripheral nervous system and then forwards the message to the cerebral cortex for analysis and interpretation. After analysis and interpretation, the cerebral cortex sends back the message to thalamus which in turn stimulates the concerned organs through responsible neurotransmitters to prepare muscle action to catch the ball as it land. The timing of the ball is entirely an initiative and is dependant on cognitive abilities of the individuals (Albert, 2002). Reference Albert, B A. (2002) Molecular Biology of the Cell: New York, Garland. Charles, GM. (2002), Psychology: An introduction: New York, Prentice hall.