Part of the Human Brain That Distinguishes Us from Primitive Animals - Essay Example

The hypothalamus plays a common role in both of these two classes of organisms in the maintenance of homeostatic functions which entails control of pituitary glands that influences the release of hormones. The medulla is also a common structure in the brain for primitive animals and men with the role of controlling the heartbeat and breathing process. Those are some of the structures in the brain common between the above-mentioned groups of animals and man. In other words, some structures like the ones highlighted are basically instrumental in regulating various biological processes in the body.

It is important to note that there exists a clear-cut distinguishing characteristic in human beings and other animals due to the structural and functional differences in some parts of the brain. Among them is the advanced cerebellum in the human being that is attached to the rear of the brainstem and has a role in enabling some nonverbal learning and the degree of memory of an individual. It achieves this through coordination of muscles and processing of the sensory information (Meliksah, 40-50). A human being also has a limbic system which makes him have the ability to process memories of various facts and experiences of episodes. It is important to note that the cognitive ability of a human being stands out different from other primitive animals due to the structure of the cortex as well. This explains why human being has memory, can reason and can talk.