Name the parts of human forebrain indicating their respective functions.

• Human Forebrain consists of 3 parts – Cerebrum (makes the major part of the human brain), Thalamus and Hypothalamus.

• Cerebrum - It is further divided into 4 lobes :

a. Frontal lobe -> associated with parts of speech, reasoning, planning, problem-solving and movement.

b. Parietal lobe -> Helps in movement, perception of stimuli and orientation.

c. Occipital lobe -> Visual processing

d. Temporal lobe -> perception and recognition of memory, auditory smell, speech.

The cerebrum also includes:

a. Sensory areas -> receive messages

b. Association areas -> Associate information with the previous and other sensory information.

c. Motor areas -> Responsible for the action of voluntary muscles.

The cerebrum is also responsible for thinking, intelligence, consciousness and memory.

• Thalamus- It is a small structure located right above the brain stem.

a. It responsible for relaying sensory information from the sense organs, relaying motor information for movement and coordination.

b. Thalamus is found in the limbic system within the cerebrum. The limbic system is mainly responsible for the formation of new memories and storing past experiences.

• Hypothalamus - The hypothalamus is a small and important part of the brain, located exactly below the thalamus.

a. It Controls the mood and emotions.

b. It coordinates the messages from the autonomous nervous system.

c. It synthesises of body’s essential hormones.

d. It receives the impulses, sense of taste and smell

e. It is involved in controlling body temperature, peristalsis, the rate of heartbeat, and blood pressure.

f. It is involved in forming an axis with the pituitary which is the main link between the nervous and the endocrine systems.