3.6. Localisation Of Function Flashcards

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1
Q

What is localisation?

A

Specific functions (e.g. language, memory and hearing) that have specific locations in the brain

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2
Q

How is Phineas Gage part of localisation of function?

A
  • His case had a large influence on earth neurology
  • Specific changes in his behaviour led to theories about the localisation of brain function
  • Tamping iron went through his left frontal lobe
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3
Q

Where is the motor area?

A

Frontal lobe

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4
Q

What is the function of the motor area?

A

Responsible for voluntary movement by sending signals to the muscles in the body

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5
Q

Which hemisphere is the motor area located?

A

Both
The motor area on one side of the brain controls the muscles on the opposite side of the body

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6
Q

Where is the somatosensory area located?

A

Parietal lobe

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7
Q

What is the function of the somatosensory area?

A

Receives incoming information from the skin to produce sensations related to pressure, pain, temp

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8
Q

Which hemisphere is the somatosensory area?

A

Both
The somatosensory area from one side of the brain receives sensory info from the opposite side of the body

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9
Q

Where is the visual area located?

A

Occipital lobe

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10
Q

What is the function of the visual area?

A

Receives and processes visual information
It contains different parts that process different types of info relating to colour, shape of movement

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11
Q

Which hemisphere is the visual area located in?

A

Both
Info from the right visual field is processed by the left hemisphere, information from the left visual field is processed by the right hemisphere

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12
Q

Where is the auditory area located?

A

Temporal lobe

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13
Q

What is the function of the auditory area?

A

Responsible for analysing and processing acoustic info

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14
Q

Which hemisphere is the auditory area located?

A

Both
Info from the left ear primarily goes to the right hemisphere, info from the right ear primarily goes to the left hemisphere

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15
Q

Where is Broca’s area located?

A

Left Frontal lobe

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16
Q

What is the function of Broca’s area?

A

Thought to be involved in language production

17
Q

Which hemisphere is Broca’s area located?

A

Left hemisphere

18
Q

Where is Wernicke’s area located?

A

Left Temporal lobe

19
Q

What is the function of Wernicke’s area?

A

Thought to be involved in language comprehension

20
Q

Which hemisphere is Wernicke’s area located?

A

Left hemisphere

21
Q

Strength : Phineas Gage

A

Cases such as Phineas Gage support the idea that functions are localised -> due to his personality changing after his accident

22
Q

Strength: scanning techniques

A

Brain scanning does show the types of LTM are localised, episodic I’m the hippocampus and temporal lobe, semantic in the temporal lobe and procedural in the motor cortex

23
Q

Strengths: RWA

A

Damage to Broca’s and Wernicke’s Areas are a result of different types of aphasia
+ Damage to Broca’s = Expressive Aphasia -> cannot speak
+ Damage to Wernicke’s = Receptive Aphasia -> cannot understand language

24
Q

Weakness: Equipotentiality Theory

A
  • Suggests only motor and sensory functions are localised
  • Higher order mental processing is not localised
25
Q

Weakness: Lashley

A
  • Lashley removed 10-50% of rats brains cortexes and they had to complete a learning maze
  • It was found no area was found to be more important
  • Suggests functions aren’t localised
  • Animal research -> humans have higher order thinking
26
Q

Weakness: Localisation is oversimplified

A
  • Lateralisation states functions are lateralised where plasticity suggests our brain has the ability to modify its own structure due to experience