The brain is the main part of the nervous system which controls all of the functions throughout the body. The brain is a living organ that is housed inside of the bony skull which protects it. This complicated structure is responsible for all of the senses, like hearing, vision and taste, as well as all of the movements and feelings that the body experiences. The brain is divided up into several different parts, and each part is responsible for controlling a different body function.
Cerebrum
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and makes up 85 percent of the brain's total weight, according to the website KidsHealth. The cerebrum is divided into two halves, called hemispheres. For the most part, the right hemisphere controls the actions and functions on the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere controls things on the right side of the body. The cerebrum is also divided into parts that are called lobes. There is the frontal lobe which takes part in controlling the movements of the body so that it is possible to run and jump. The frontal lobe also helps make speech possible, helps a person figure out problems and makes him creative. The parietal lobe is on the top and side of the head, and helps with taste, touch and recognizing pain signals. The temporal lobe is just above the ears, and helps with memory, emotions and hearing. The occipital lobe is in the back of the head, and is responsible for vision. Anyone who is drawing a picture, kicking a ball, figuring out a problem in school or remembering something that happened years ago is using the cerebrum.
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is a very important part of the brain, but is much smaller than the cerebrum. It is located in the back of the head near the base of the skull. It looks a bit like a miniature version of the cerebrum, and is divided into hemispheres as well, according to The American Brain Tumor Association. The cerebellum helps to coordinate movements so that when a person kicks a ball, it is a smooth action and the ball goes in the direction it is supposed to. Many different muscles are required to work in harmony during this action, and the cerebellum helps coordinate all of these different things that must happen at one time. The cerebellum also receives information from the ears and eyes to give a sense of position, and help with balance.
Brain Stem
The brain stem is the part of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord, and where all information travels from other parts of the brain out to the body. The brain stem has its own functions, though, and is responsible for things like breathing, sleep, digesting food and moving blood throughout the body, according to National Geographic. The brain stem controls things that are in voluntary, or things that people don't have to think about in order to do them.
