Lesson 6 - Localisation of Function Flashcards
What does Localisation of function refer to ?
It refers to the principle that certain functions have certain locations within the brain.
What are the visual centres within the brain ?
The visual cortex processes info like colour and shape. Its in the occipital lobe of both hemispheres of the brain.
What are the auditory centres within the brain ?
The auditory cortex processes info like pitch and volume. It is in the temporal lobe of both hemispheres of the brain.
What are the motor areas within the brain ?
The motor cortex is responsible for voluntary movements. It is located in the frontal lobe of both brain hemispheres. Different parts if motor cortex control different parts of body.
What are the somatosensory area within the brain ?
The somatosensory cortex is responsible for processing sensations like pain and pressure. It is located in the parietal lobe of both hemispheres.
What is the Brocas area?
Area of brain responsible for production of speech. Named after Paul Broca who treated patients with speaking difficulties. He found they had lessions to left hemisphere of the frontal lobe. Damage to this area causes Expressive aphasia.
What is expressive aphasia and how is it caused ?
Expressive aphasia is a disorder which affects language production but not understanding. It is caused due to damage to the Broacas area.
What is the wernickes area ?
Area of brain responsible for understanding language. This area is in left of temporal lobe. Patients with lesion to this area could speak but were unable to understand language. Damage to this area causes receptive aphasia.
What is receptive aphasia and how is it caused ?
A disorder which leads to an impaired ability to understand language. Caused by damage to wernickes area.
What is a weakness of Localisation of function ? (Deeper)
Some functions are more localised than others. Motor functions are highly localised. However higher functions (Personality, consciousness) are more distributed and can not be attributed to a specific region of brain.
What is a weakness of Localisation of function ? (Dejerine)
Dejerine (1892) reported a patient who could not read because of damage between the visual cortex and Wernicke’s area. Thus how regions communicate could be More important than specific regions
What is a strength of localisation of function? (Scan)
Brain scan evidence - A lot of evidence to suggest tasks are localised. Peterson found Wernickes area was active on a brain scan whilst participants were doing a listening task (understanding)
