Localisation of Functions in the Brain Flashcards
What is localisation?
The theory that specific areas of the brain are associated with particular physical and psychological functions.§
What is the first AO1 point about localisation?
Hemispheres.
What is a hemisphere?
The two sides of your brain, Right or left.
Each hemisphere is responsible for specific functions.
What is the second AO1 point about localisation?
Language areas.
Where are language areas found which is evidence for localisation?
Only the left hemisphere (LH)
In an exam, where will the front of the brain usually be, therefore which side of the brain will you be looking at?
It will be the front pointing towards the left, so you are looking at the left hemisphere usually.
What are the two language areas?
Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area.
What is Broca’s area responsible for?
Speech production.
What is Wernicke’s area responsible for?
Language comprehension.
How can you remember which out of Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area comes first from the front of the head to the back?
They are in alphabetical order.
Broca’s area is found at the back of the frontal lobe and Wernicke’s are is found further back.
What problems will you have if you have damage to the Broca’s area?
What problems will you have if you have damage to the Wernicke’s area?
What is the key word for this?
Producing speech.
Producing comprehensible speech.
Aphasia.
Broca’s aphasia or Wernicke’s aphasia.
What is the third AO1 point for localisation?
Layers of the brain.
What are the three layers of the brain?
The cerebrum.
The limbic system.
The central core.
What are the overall functions of the three layers of the brain in the order they develop?
Central core = primitive, brain stem.
Limbic system = Emotions.
Cerebrum = Higher order stuff.
What are the two hemispheres joined by?
Nerve fibres.
