There is no doubt the brain is a magnificent organ capable of intricate thoughts and endless possibilities. As the chief organ in charge of body functioning, it dictates everything from how you think to how you feel, and ensures that your organs do what they are supposed to do even when you are asleep. While there are several different parts of the brain that work together to make this all happen, there are specific sections that are primarily responsible for memory function. In a nutshell, when an event occurs, these parts of your brain determine if the event is important enough to be filed away as a memory.
The Cerebrum
The cerebrum is the heaviest part of the brain. It controls your voluntary muscles--those that move your body move the way you want it to. The cerebrum, therefore, helps you to walk, dance and even throw a ball. Much of short and long-term memory resides in the cerebrum. Some scientists, according to Kidshealth.org, theorize the right half of the cerebrum work with abstract memories and thoughts such as music, colors and shapes. They also theorize the left half focuses on more analytical tasks requiring memory such as math, logic and speech.
The Hippocampus
Located at the bottom of the brain's temporal lobe, the hippocampus is responsible for processing memories. If this part of the brain is not functioning correctly, it is impossible to form new memories, according to the article titled "Memory, Learning, and Emotion: The Hippocampus," appearing on the website Psycheducation.org.
The Cerebral Cortex
The cerebral cortex takes up almost three quarters of the brain. Old and new memories are thought to be stored away in parts of the cerebral cortex known as its "gray matter." The activity that goes on inside the cerebral cortex is a great part of what makes human beings different from all other animals, according to Dr. Jeffrey Ricker, who wrote a section about its functionality for an online psychology textbook titled "What is Psychological Science?"
Without a properly functioning cerebral cortex, self-awareness and the ability to utilize foresight and deliberation would not exist. The same can be said, according to Ricker, of man's capability to relate the past and future to the present, and to speak and understand a language. Ricker writes that humans born without much of a cerebral cortex are capable of only the most basic reflexes and emotions, and tend to have short lives.
