University:
High School
Course:
High School Biology
Academic year:

2022
Views:

352

Pages:

12
Author:

vericepd4h

C. The Cerebral Cortex The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres. It is the body’s ultimate control and information processing center. 14 Structure of the Cortex Each brain hemisphere is divided into four lobes that are separated by prominent fissures. These lobes are the frontal lobe (forehead), parietal lobe (top to rear head), occipital lobe (back head) and temporal lobe (side of head). 15 frontal lobe (forehead) – Higher level thought and reasoning. This includes personality, problem solving, and language formation. parietal lobe (top to rear head) Somatosensory information , receives information about sensory information from the body occipital lobe (back head) Visual input temporal lobe (side of head) auditory center . Functions of the Cortex The Motor Cortex is the area at the rear of the frontal lobes that control voluntary movements. The Sensory Cortex (parietal cortex) receives information from skin surface and sense organs. 18 Visual Function The functional MRI scan shows the visual cortex is active as the subject looks at faces. 19 Auditory Function The functional MRI scan shows the auditory cortex is active in patients who hallucinate. 20 Association Areas More intelligent animals have increased “uncommitted” or association areas of the cortex. 21 Language Broca’s area–speaking words and language. Think of the word Boca (mouth) Wernicke’s area – Understanding words and language Language Aphasia is an impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area (impaired speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impaired understanding). 23 Damages to the associated areas Alexia – inability to read Apraxia – inability to organize movement Agnosia – difficulty processing sensory input Aphasia – impairment of language Specialization & Integration Brain activity when hearing, seeing, and speaking words 25