The brain is part of the central nervous system. It coordinates the body by receiving information from receptors and sending impulses to effectors. Different regions of the brain do different jobs.
The cerebral hemispheres are the two large, folded halves that make up most of the brain. They carry out the higher functions: conscious thought, memory, language, intelligence and voluntary movement. They also receive and interpret information from the senses.
The cerebellum sits at the back and base of the brain. It coordinates movement and keeps the body balanced, so that muscles work together smoothly.
The medulla oblongata lies at the base of the brain, where it joins the spinal cord. It controls unconscious activities that keep you alive, such as heart rate and breathing rate.
