The Brain and Cerebral Cortex Flashcards
Why is the brain referred to as the master organ?
It is responsible for virtually all our thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Average weight of the adult brain?
1.5kg
How many neurons, and how many connections between them?
Billions; trillions
Explain how the brain is protected.
Encased in the skull; space between the brain and the skull containing fluid to protect it against knocks.
Describe the consistency of the brain.
Jelly like; covered by a strong plastic-like membrane.
Define: cerebral cortex
The convoluted (folded) outer layer of the two cerebral hemispheres, involved in cognitive processes such as learning, language, memory, attention, problem solving and perception (LLAMPP), and both planning and controlling voluntary bodily movements.
How thick is the cerebral cortex and what is its surface area?
2-4mm; 0.25m2.
The size of the cerebral cortex may be linked to an organism’s intellectual ability. Explain. (3 marks)
Larger cerebral cortex = more capable of higher order mental processes.
Birds -> cats -> primates -> humans
Humans have the largest cerebral cortex and the greatest number of mental abilities.
Do more “complex” mammals have greater or less amounts of association cortex area than simple mammals?
Greater man
What are the 3 categories for the areas of cerebral cortex?
Sensory cortex areas
Motor cortex areas
Association cortex areas
Define: sensory cortex areas
Receive and process information from our different senses, through sensory receptors.
Make a flow chart of the way sensory information reaches the brain.
Sensory info -> sensory receptors -> spinal cord -> thalamus -> primary cortex -> to be processed!
What are the sensory areas of the brain?
Primary somatosensory cortex
Primary visual cortex
Primary auditory cortex
Define: motor cortex area
Receives and processes information about voluntary bodily movements; and sends information about bodily movements to skeletal muscles.
Define: association cortex area
receive and integrate information between sensory and motor areas as well as from other lobes to enable higher-order mental processes.
Define: higher order mental processes
decision-making, memory, perception, planning and learning (dmppl – dumpling)
What sensory/motor phrase refers to the areas of the cerebral cortex collectively, and which refer to the areas within the individual lobes?
Lobes: sensory areas
Collective: sensory cortex areas
What areas make up the primary cortex area?
Sensory and motor areas
What percentage of the cerebral cortex is made up of association areas and primary cortex areas?
75% association areas
25% primary cortex areas
Where are association areas located?
Typically next to the primary cortex which is specialised in interpreting its info; if located further away, it might be involved in integrating information from several senses and memories.
Define: central fissure
a very deep groove which runs from the top down the sides of each hemisphere between the motor and somatosensory cortex, separating the front (anterior) of the cortex from the rear (posterior) section.
Define: cortical lobe
Areas of the brain associated with different structures and functions.
What are the lobes named after?
The plate of the skull protecting it.
