Final answer:
The three parts of the human brain include the reptilian brain or brainstem, the limbic system, and the neocortex. The limbic system addresses emotional and memory-related functions, while the neocortex is involved in advanced functions like language and consciousness, forming a large part of the brain's mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three parts of the brain are commonly referred to as the reptilian brain, the limbic system, and the neocortex. The reptilian brain, or brainstem, is responsible for basic survival functions such as heart rate and breathing. The limbic system, sometimes referred to as the mammalian brain or emotional brain, deals with emotions and memory. Lastly, the neocortex is involved in higher order brain functions such as sensory perception, cognition, generation of motor commands, spatial reasoning, and language. The neocortex has greatly expanded in humans, accounting for about 76% of the brain's mass and contributing to our advanced cognitive capabilities.
These structural components support a diversity of functions, with the cerebral cortex playing a crucial role in processing complex information. In mammals, the brain includes the cerebral cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebellum, and brainstem. The meninges protect these vital structures. The neocortex, with its extensive surface area due to numerous folds, significantly contributes to mental abilities, signaling the pronounced encephalization evident in human evolution. The neocortex's greater relative size compared to other animals underlines its importance in language, consciousness, and other higher-order functions.