3.1.3 Cerebral cortex

Question 1

What are the two main divisions of the human nervous system?

Answer 1

Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system

The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system includes the somatic and autonomic systems.

Question 2

What is the role of the spinal cord in the human nervous system?

Answer 2

The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the body and coordinating reflex actions.

Question 3

List the four lobes of the cerebral cortex.

Answer 3

• Frontal lobe
• Parietal lobe
• Occipital lobe
• Temporal lobe

Question 4

Where does language processing occur in the brain?

Answer 4

Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area, and Geschwind’s territory

Question 5

What areas are involved in coordinating voluntary movement?

Answer 5

• Primary motor cortex
• Cerebellum
• Basal ganglia

Question 6

Which brain structures are associated with emotion?

Answer 6

• Limbic system
• Amygdala
• Prefrontal cortex

Question 7

Differentiate between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters.

Answer 7

Excitatory neurotransmitters increase the likelihood of firing an action potential, while inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease it.

Question 8

What neurotransmitter is associated with movement and is affected in Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 8

Dopamine

Question 9

What are the main functions of the frontal lobe?

Answer 9

• Speech
• Abstract thought
• Planning
• Social skills

Question 10

What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?

Answer 10

Vision

Question 11

What is the primary function of the parietal lobe?

Answer 11

Perception of one’s own body and spatial awareness

Question 12

What is the primary function of the temporal lobe?

Answer 12

Auditory processing and memory regulation

Question 13

What does contralateral processing mean in the context of the brain?

Answer 13

Each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.

Question 14

What is the homunculus and what does it represent?

Answer 14

A representation of the body’s sensory and motor neurons, illustrating the proportionality of cortical space to body parts.

Question 15

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 15

It acts as the communication center of the brain, processing sensory information and coordinating with the cortex.

Question 16

What are association areas in the brain responsible for?

Answer 16

• Analyzing and interpreting sensory information
• Integrating information from multiple senses
• Higher order mental processes (language, reasoning, etc.)

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The _______ is responsible for initiating movement of skeletal muscles.

Answer 17

Primary motor cortex

Question 18

True or False: The primary visual cortex is located in the frontal lobe.

Answer 18

False

Question 19

What happens if the primary visual cortex is damaged?

Answer 19

The person would be unable to perceive visual stimuli.

Question 20

What is the role of the primary somatosensory cortex?

Answer 20

Processing somatosensory information such as touch, pain, and pressure.

Question 21

What is the function of the auditory association area?

Answer 21

Processes and encodes auditory memory.

Question 22

What does the primary auditory cortex do?

Answer 22

Performs complex auditory analysis necessary for understanding speech and music.

Question 23

What are the bulges and valleys in the cerebral cortex called?

Answer 23

• Bulges: Gyri
• Valleys: Sulci

Question 24

What is the significance of the corpus callosum?

Answer 24

It connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Question 25

How does the frontal lobe develop in adolescents?

Answer 25

It evolves most recently and is the last to develop.

Question 26

What processes visual information?

Answer 26

Primary Visual Cortex ## Footnote Specializes in stimuli such as shape, colour, and movement.

Question 27

What enables a person to perceive 3D shapes and designs?

Answer 27

Sensory Association Area ## Footnote Also involves understanding one's own body and the location of objects in the environment.

Question 28

What processes sensations like touch, pressure, temperature, and pain?

Answer 28

Primary Somatosensory Cortex ## Footnote Functions contralaterally; damage to one side affects the opposite side of the body.

Question 29

What processes complex auditory information necessary for understanding speech?

Answer 29

Primary Auditory Cortex ## Footnote Important for listening to music as well.

Question 30

What initiates movement of skeletal muscles?

Answer 30

Primary Motor Cortex ## Footnote Functions contralaterally; left PMC moves the right side of the body and vice versa.

Question 31

Which lobe is responsible for processing and encoding memory?

Answer 31

Left temporal lobe ## Footnote Plays a crucial role in memory functions.

Question 32

Which lobe interprets the meaning of language and creates grammatically correct speech?

Answer 32

Left frontal lobe ## Footnote Involves the association area for language processing.

Question 33

What coordinates the movement of lips, tongue, and vocal cords?

Answer 33

Left frontal lobe ## Footnote Essential for speech production.

Question 34

What area integrates sensory and motor information to perform actions?

Answer 34

Premotor association area ## Footnote Involves planning and executing movements.

Question 35

What receives information regarding smell?

Answer 35

Olfactory cortex ## Footnote Integral for the sense of smell.

Question 36

What receives information regarding taste?

Answer 36

Gustatory cortex ## Footnote Important for the sense of taste.

Question 37

What integrates visual stimuli and memories?

Answer 37

Sensory Association Area ## Footnote Helps in recognizing and interpreting sensory information.