Unit 3-The Cerebral Cortex

Question 1

What is the cerebral cortex and what does it do?

Answer 1

The cerebral cortex is the centre of conscious thought. It also recalls memories and alters decisions in the light of experience.

Question 2

What is there of the brain functions in the cerebral cortex and what does this mean?

Answer 2

There is localisation of brain functions in the cerebral cortex. This means it is made up of distinct regions, each of which has a particular function/role to perform.

Question 3

What does the localisation of brain functions in the cerebral cortex contain?

Answer 3

• Sensory areas (receive information from the body’s receptors).
• Association areas (analyse and interpret these impulses).
• Motor areas (receive information from association areas and send motor impulses to effectors e.g. muscles).
• There are also association areas involved in language processing, personality, imagination and intelligence.

Question 4

How is information from one side of the body processed and give an example of this?

Answer 4

Information from one side of the body is processed in the opposite side of the cerebrum. For example the left cerebral hemisphere deals with information from the right visual field and controls the right hand side of the body.

Question 5

How are the 2 hemispheres of the brain connected?

Answer 5

The 2 hemispheres of the brain are connected by a large bundle of fibres called the corpus callosum.

Question 6

What does the corpus callosum mean for the brain.

Answer 6

Whatever happens in one side of the brain is quickly communicated to the other side thereby coordinating brain functions and enabling the brain to act as an inter grated whole.

Question 7

What does localisation of function mean?

Answer 7

The cerebral cortex is made up of distinct sections which each have a particular function to perform.