Exam 2 Flashcards
What are the 4 Features of Cortical Organization?
1) Functional Specialization
2) Topographic Organization
3) Contralateral Connections
4) Asymmetry of Higher Functions
What is Functional Specialization?
Different parts of cortex serve different functions.
What is Topographic Organization?
Sensory & motor areas contain a map of the receptor surface or muscles.
What are Contralateral Connections?
Right side of cortex is connected to the left side of the body and vice versa.
What is Asymmetry of Higher Functions?
hemispheric specialization
What does the cortex in mammals consist of?
The cortex in mammals consists of multiple topographically-organized areas.
What is the function of primary sensory areas in the cortex?
Primary sensory areas receive rather direct input from the sensory surface.
What is the function of the primary motor area in the cortex?
The primary motor area sends axons down to motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. Electrical stimulation produces twitches in a single or a few muscles.
What are the functions of the frontal areas in the cortex?
The frontal areas are important for initiating, planning, controlling, and assessing behavior.
What is the role of “Executive Control” in the cortex?
“Executive Control” in the cortex is responsible for integrating information to make decisions.
What is the Topographic Organization in sensory & motor areas?
Sensory & motor areas contain a map of the receptor surface or muscles.
What is a Receptive Field?
The Receptive Field is the part of space (for vision) or body surface (for somatosensation) that a cell responds to.
How are the maps in the cortex distorted?
The amount of cortex devoted to each part of the receptor surface or muscles does not correspond to the size of the body part.
What does it mean when we say that maps are plastic?
Maps are plastic means they can change. For example, a monkey’s somatosensory maps move around after finger denervation.
What is the “Homunculus” in the context of topographic maps in the human cortex?
“Homunculus”, which means “little man” in Greek, refers to the topographic maps of the muscles and body surface in humans.
Someone who is unmotivated, unable to plan for the future,
and unable to control their emotions likely has brain damage
in the________?
Frontal cortex
Sensory cortex occupies a ______ portion of cortex and consists of _______________ areas.
large and many
Sensory maps are?
topographic and plastic and distorted
What are Contralateral Connections in the cortex?
Contralateral Connections refer to the connections where the right side of the cortex is connected to the left side of the body and vice versa.
What happens when there is damage to the right motor cortex?
Damage to the right motor cortex results in the inability to move muscles on the left side of the body.
What happens when there is damage to the right somatosensory cortex?
Damage to the right somatosensory cortex results in the inability to feel on the left side of the body.
How is the right side of visual space represented in the cortex?
The right side of visual space (i.e., the right “visual field”) is represented in the left hemisphere and vice versa.
Which side of the brain does the left image go to?
Right side of the brain
Which side of the brain does the right image go to?
Left side of the brain
Which hemisphere is more important for language functions in most humans?
In most humans, the left hemisphere is more important for language functions.
Which hemisphere is more important for spatial information in most humans?
In most humans, the right hemisphere is more important for spatial information.
The right side of the brain controls what? And what can’t it not do?
controls the left hand, but it can’t speak
What is the role of the Left Hemisphere as Interpreter?
The Left Hemisphere as Interpreter interprets and generates theories to explain our behaviors.
What is the conclusion about each side of the brain in terms of what they see or feel?
Each side of the brain is blind to what the other side sees or feels.
What is the role of the left hemisphere in speech?
The left hemisphere controls speech.
What are the capabilities of the right hemisphere?
The right hemisphere is mute but can see stimulus in the left visual field, can feel a stimulus with the left hand, can understand some language, and is better at spatial judgments.
What is the role of the left hemisphere in observing and making sense out of the world?
The left hemisphere observes and tries to make sense out of the world, including the right hemisphere’s actions.
What activities depend on sensory/perceptual processing?
Activities such as walking, obtaining food, and interacting socially all depend on sensory/perceptual processing.
How is sensory processing characterized?
Sensory processing is fast and accurate, which is necessary for survival.
What senses are included in the Sensory Systems?
The Sensory Systems include Vestibular sense (balance), Kinesthesis (limb position and movement), Temperature, and Pain.
What is the term for the combination of touch, temperature, and pain senses?
Touch, temperature, and pain senses together are referred to as “Somatosensation”.
