What is the main function of the occipital lobe?

The occipital lobe's primary function is visual processing, making it central to how we interpret and understand visual information. It is situated at the back of the brain and is responsible for receiving visual stimuli from the eyes and then processing aspects such as color, light, and movement. The visual cortex, located in the occipital lobe, enables the brain to translate raw visual data into coherent images that we can recognize and interpret. This specialized function is critical for daily activities ranging from facial recognition to reading and navigating the environment.

Other options relate to different brain functions. Motor control is primarily associated with the frontal lobe, which governs voluntary muscle movements. Language comprehension is mainly managed by the left hemisphere's Broca's and Wernicke's areas, also located in the frontal and temporal lobes, respectively. Impulse control involves several areas, including the prefrontal cortex, which plays a crucial role in decision-making and self-regulation. Thus, the occipital lobe is unequivocally linked to visual processing, distinguishing it from those other important functions.