Hemispheres (including specialisation)

Question 1

Define: cerebral hemispheres

Answer 1

two almost symmetrical brain structures that appear to be separated by the longitudinal fissure but are connected at several points by strands of nerve tissue including the corpus callosum

Question 2

Define: longitudinal fissure

Answer 2

A groove running from the front to the back of the brain

Question 3

Define: central fissure

Answer 3

?

Question 4

What word describes the brain’s opposite control over its sensory and motor functions?

Answer 4

Contralateral!

Compare with lateral

Question 5

Left hemisphere receives sensory information from what side, and controls movement of what side?

Answer 5

Right side.

Question 6

Define: hemispheric specialisation

Answer 6

The dominance of one hemisphere over the other in particular functions.

Question 7

True or false: even though most thoughts, feelings and behaviours are a result of the interaction of the two hemispheres, each hemisphere has some specialised functions which are not duplicated in the other area.

Answer 7

TRUE

Question 8

Distinguish between the specialisation of cognitive and behavioural functions

Answer 8

Behavioural refers to functions that can be directly observed, like body movements.
Cognitive refers to mental processes that cannot be directly observed, like language, spatial perception etcc

Question 9

What does damage to the left/right hemispheres result in?

Answer 9

Left: language difficulties
RIght: difficulties in visual and spatial tasks.

Question 10

What is the left hemisphere specialised in?

Answer 10

Verbal functions
Analytical functions
Motor and sensory information from the right of the body,

Question 11

Explain verbal functions.

Answer 11

Use and recognition of words: reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Question 12

Define: analytical functions

Answer 12

Breaking down a task into key parts and approaching it sequentially: math and science ability, logical raesoning and evaluation

Question 13

What is the right hemisphere specialised in?

Answer 13

Non-verbal functions, including: (CHEF MS)
Creativity
Holistic thinking
Emotions
Facial recognition
Music and art appreciation
Spatial awareness
Sensory and motor info from left side.

Question 14

Define: corpus callosum

Answer 14

band of nerve tissue that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres and serves as the main communication pathway between them.

Question 15

How many nerve fibres are in the corpus callosum?

Answer 15

Over 200 million. Each one crosses over from one hemisphere to the other.

Question 16

Does the communication between the hemispheres only occur through the corpus callosum?

Answer 16

No - there are other nerve fibres.