Exam 2

Question 1

What are the 4 Features of Cortical Organization?

Answer 1

1) Functional Specialization
2) Topographic Organization
3) Contralateral Connections
4) Asymmetry of Higher Functions

Question 2

What is Functional Specialization?

Answer 2

Different parts of cortex serve different functions.

Question 3

What is Topographic Organization?

Answer 3

Sensory & motor areas contain a map of the receptor surface or muscles.

Question 4

What are Contralateral Connections?

Answer 4

Right side of cortex is connected to the left side of the body and vice versa.

Question 5

What is Asymmetry of Higher Functions?

Answer 5

hemispheric specialization

Question 6

What does the cortex in mammals consist of?

Answer 6

The cortex in mammals consists of multiple topographically-organized areas.

Question 7

What is the function of primary sensory areas in the cortex?

Answer 7

Primary sensory areas receive rather direct input from the sensory surface.

Question 8

What is the function of the primary motor area in the cortex?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What are the functions of the frontal areas in the cortex?

Answer 9

The frontal areas are important for initiating, planning, controlling, and assessing behavior.

Question 10

What is the role of “Executive Control” in the cortex?

Answer 10

“Executive Control” in the cortex is responsible for integrating information to make decisions.

Question 11

What is the Topographic Organization in sensory & motor areas?

Answer 11

Sensory & motor areas contain a map of the receptor surface or muscles.

Question 12

What is a Receptive Field?

Answer 12

The Receptive Field is the part of space (for vision) or body surface (for somatosensation) that a cell responds to.

Question 13

How are the maps in the cortex distorted?

Answer 13

The amount of cortex devoted to each part of the receptor surface or muscles does not correspond to the size of the body part.

Question 14

What does it mean when we say that maps are plastic?

Answer 14

Maps are plastic means they can change. For example, a monkey’s somatosensory maps move around after finger denervation.

Question 15

What is the “Homunculus” in the context of topographic maps in the human cortex?

Answer 15

“Homunculus”, which means “little man” in Greek, refers to the topographic maps of the muscles and body surface in humans.

Question 16

Someone who is unmotivated, unable to plan for the future,
and unable to control their emotions likely has brain damage
in the________?

Answer 16

Frontal cortex

Question 17

Sensory cortex occupies a ______ portion of cortex and consists of _______________ areas.

Answer 17

large and many

Question 18

Sensory maps are?

Answer 18

topographic and plastic and distorted

Question 19

What are Contralateral Connections in the cortex?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What happens when there is damage to the right motor cortex?

Answer 20

Damage to the right motor cortex results in the inability to move muscles on the left side of the body.

Question 21

What happens when there is damage to the right somatosensory cortex?

Answer 21

Damage to the right somatosensory cortex results in the inability to feel on the left side of the body.

Question 22

How is the right side of visual space represented in the cortex?

Answer 22

The right side of visual space (i.e., the right “visual field”) is represented in the left hemisphere and vice versa.

Question 23

Which side of the brain does the left image go to?

Answer 23

Right side of the brain

Question 24

Which side of the brain does the right image go to?

Answer 24

Left side of the brain

Question 25

Which hemisphere is more important for language functions in most humans?

Answer 25

In most humans, the left hemisphere is more important for language functions.

Question 26

Which hemisphere is more important for spatial information in most humans?

Answer 26

In most humans, the right hemisphere is more important for spatial information.

Question 27

The right side of the brain controls what? And what can’t it not do?

Answer 27

controls the left hand, but it can’t speak

Question 28

What is the role of the Left Hemisphere as Interpreter?

Answer 28

The Left Hemisphere as Interpreter interprets and generates theories to explain our behaviors.

Question 29

What is the conclusion about each side of the brain in terms of what they see or feel?

Answer 29

Each side of the brain is blind to what the other side sees or feels.

Question 30

What is the role of the left hemisphere in speech?

Answer 30

The left hemisphere controls speech.

Question 31

What are the capabilities of the right hemisphere?

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

What is the role of the left hemisphere in observing and making sense out of the world?

Answer 32

The left hemisphere observes and tries to make sense out of the world, including the right hemisphere’s actions.

Question 33

What activities depend on sensory/perceptual processing?

Answer 33

Activities such as walking, obtaining food, and interacting socially all depend on sensory/perceptual processing.

Question 34

How is sensory processing characterized?

Answer 34

Sensory processing is fast and accurate, which is necessary for survival.

Question 35

What senses are included in the Sensory Systems?

Answer 35

The Sensory Systems include Vestibular sense (balance), Kinesthesis (limb position and movement), Temperature, and Pain.

Question 36

What is the term for the combination of touch, temperature, and pain senses?

Answer 36

Touch, temperature, and pain senses together are referred to as “Somatosensation”.