Biopsychology 12/15

Question 1

What is Localisation of Function?

Answer 1

The principle that specific functions such as language, memory and hearing have specific locations within the brain

Question 2

What is Broca’s area?

Answer 2

• in posterior left frontal lobe, believed to be critical for speech production

Question 3

What is Wernicke’s area?

Answer 3

• Area of brain involved in understanding language
• Posterior left temporal lobe

Question 4

What is Hemispheric Lateralisation?

Answer 4

• Two hemispheres are not exactly the same, each has its own functional specialisations
• Left is dominant for language and speech, right for visual-motor tasks

Question 5

What is Split-Brain Research?

Answer 5

• When the bundle of fibres making the corpus callosum are cut, the connection between the 2 hemispheres is severed

Question 6

What is Plasticity?

Answer 6

• Brain’s ability to change and adapt to experience
• Nerve pathways used frequently develop stronger connections, rarely sued neutrons die