LEARNING ACTIVITY 1
What are the main functions of the cerebral cortex? Information processing activities such as
perception, language, learning and memory etc. Specific areas of the cerebral cortex have specific
functions (Primary Visual Cortex etc), however most of cerebral cortex performs multiple functions,
often integrating information from other parts of the brain, to enable us to think and behave the way
we do.
Where is the cerebral cortex located? The outer layer or covering of the two cerebral hemispheres.
Of what does the cerebral cortex mainly consist? About three quarters of the entire brains neurons.
Name the three different categories of the cortical areas and briefly describe the functions performed
by each of these areas?
Sensory Cortex Area – receive and process information from our different senses.
Motor Cortex Area – receives processes and sends information about voluntary bodily movements.
Association Cortex Area – integrates sensory, motor and other information and is involved in the more
complex mental abilities, such as perceiving, thinking and problem solving.
Describe the relationship between the size of the cerebral cortex and the mental capabilities of an
organism? The larger the cerebral cortex the more behavior we regard as intelligent is displayed.
LEARNING ACTIVITY 2
What is a cerebral hemisphere? The brain is separated into two halves, the left and right hemisphere.
Describe three key characteristics that the cerebral hemispheres have in common.
-
Lobes in both hemispheres are in approximately the same position
Overall size, shape and position of the hemispheres is alike
Both hemispheres control opposite sides of the body (left hemisphere controls right side and
vice versa)
What is the corpus callosum? It is the largest and most important strand of nervous tissue joining the
two hemispheres. It is used as the main communication pathway between the two hemispheres.
Where is the corpus callosum located? It is located at the top of the temporal lobe, where it meets with
the parietal lobe, and runs parallel with the top of the skull.
What key function is performed by the corpus callosum? It acts as a ‘cross-over station’ for neural
messages between the two cerebral hemispheres, allowing exchange of information and coordination of
activities.
LEARNING ACTIVITY 8
LOCATION
FUNCTION
LINKS TO OTHER BRAIN
AREAS
EFFECTS OF DAMAGE
BROCA’S AREA
Left frontal lobe next to the
motor cortex.
Controls the muscles of the face,
tongue, jaw and throat to
produce articulate speech. Also
involved with understanding
grammatical structure of a
sentence.
Wernicke’s area, Auditory Cortex
Language loss and impairment
(Broca’s Aphrasia). Often
produces speech that is very
deliberate, consisting of a few
words with a very simple
grammatical structure, but rarely
total loss of speech.
WERNICKE’S AREA
Left temporal lobe next to the
primary auditory cortex.
Involved with comprehension of
speech. Word is heard and
processed by primary auditory
cortex but is only understood once
processed by Wernicke’s area. It is
also involved with locating
appropriate words from memory to
express feeling.
Broca’s area, auditory cortex
Can speak fluently, but speech is
largely meaningless.
LEARNING ACTIVITY 10
Explain the meaning of the term hemispheric specialization. Whilst the functions performed by the
sensory and motor areas of the left and right cerebral hemispheres are generally the same, each
hemisphere also has some specialized functions that are not duplicated in the other hemisphere.
COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS
BEHAVIOURAL FUNCTIONS
LEFT HEMISPHERE
Logical Reasoning, analysis
Verbal tasks
RIGHT HEMISPHERE
Creative thinking
Spatial Construction
Identify the cerebral hemisphere (left or right) that specializes in the cognitive and behavioural
functions listed below.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Appreciating the beauty of a forest – right
Judging whether a car will fit into a parking space – right
Kicking a football with the left foot – right
Listening to someone speak – left
Applying logic in an argument – left
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
o)
Working out if you have enough money for a holiday – left
Daydreaming about being rich and famous – right
Finding your way through a maze – right
Speaking on the telephone – left
Playing a simulated golf game on a computer – right
Working out the meaning of a grin on someone’s face – right
Arranging a bouquet of flowers – right
Giving someone the correct change for their purchase – left
Recognising classmates from an old class photo – right
Working out when you have to get up in the morning to get to school on time – left
LEARNING ACTIVITY 12
Explain the difference between invasive and non-invasive brain research methods. Invasive brain
research involves physically invading the brain, hence the name. Non-invasive brain research methods
involve conducting experiments, without invading, to discover the workings of the brain.
Briefly describe two ethical issues that may be involved with invasive research methods. The dangers
involved with the physical invasion of the brain, and the potential dangers to other areas of the brain
(other than the part removed etc)
What is the meaning of the term intact brain? Intact brains are brains that are fully functional and
healthy.
Briefly describe the Wada test and explain how it can be used to study hemispheric specialization in
people with intact brains. An anesthetic is injected into an artery in the patient’s neck so it shuts down
one cerebral hemisphere. As the anesthetic is being injected the patient raises his arms and begins to
count. Once the anesthetic kicks in the patient will drop his arm, (opposite to hemisphere affected),
then the patient stops counting. If the hemisphere affected by the drug is the one that controls speech
then the patient will not be able to start counting. It can be used to study intact brains, in particular the
regions of the brain that control speech.
Briefly describe the tachistoscope procedure and explain how it can be used to study hemispheric
specialization in people with intact brains. Images are flashed onto a screen, whilst the subject fixates
on a cross or dot in the centre of the screen. Non-verbal (pictures etc) are projected to the right
hemisphere, where it is processed and recognized quicker than when the picture is presented to the left
hemisphere. This is because the non-verbal processing is controlled by the right hemisphere. It can be
used to indicate the level of dominance of the hemispheres.