1
Explain the structure of the cerebral cortex and the function of each
area of the cortex.
Rusham
300206132
PSYC 101
Dr. Tarundeep Kaur
2
Making up more than 80% of the human brain, the cerebral cortex is what makes humans
different from animals as humans have a larger cerebral cortex than the latter (Stagnor &
Walinga, 2014). This part of the brain holds the responsibility for many high-level cognitive
functions such as decision-making, perception, language and other motor skills (Cadwell et.
al, 2019). The cerebral cortex, even though being a bark-like structure on the outer layer of
the brain, it aids in learning specific intricate skills, socializing and developing tools.
Moreover, the human brain’s cerebral cortex contains wrinkles and folds which is considered
as an activity known as ‘Corticalization’, unlike the average animal which is smooth and thus
provides the former with more area and a greater capability to comprehend, think and
retain (Stagnor & Walinga, 2014). Containing approximately 16 billion neurons, it has a
billion more glial cells, or glia, to support the said neurons. The glial cells surround the
neurons and link with them in order to protect them, supply them with useful nutrients and
go even one step further by taking in unused neurotransmitters (Stagnor & Walinga, 2014).
For example, the myelin sheath on the sides of the axon of neurons is a type of glial cell.
The cerebral cortex is divided into two hemispheres, namely the right and the left
hemisphere. Making up these two hemispheres individually, are four different lobes. They
are the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the occipital lobe and the temporal lobe (Stagnor &
Walinga, 2014). They all exhibit different functions ranging from being responsible for
thinking, planning, and memory by the frontal lobe, to being responsible for sensing touch
and processing that information by the parietal lobe, with the occipital lobe processing
visual information and the temporal lobe processing hearing (Stagnor & Walinga, 2014).
Consisting of two hemispheres, the cerebral cortex also follows a general principle
that is contralateral control, which says that the left hemisphere controls the right side of
3
the body and vice-versa (Stagnor & Walinga, 2014). However, it also has numerous parts of
the cortex with different functions for each of them. The first one is the motor cortex, which
takes control of the movement of the body by sending signals to the cerebellum and the
spinal cord (Stagnor & Walinga, 2014). Next comes the somatosensory cortex, which is
sensitive to touch sensations and works on the movement of the body parts accordingly
(Stagnor & Walinga, 2014). The visual cortex processes any visual information and the
auditory cortex is responsible for the processing of hearing and language (Stagnor &
Walinga, 2014). The remaining cortex is entirely made up of association areas and helps in
more complex mental functions. Thus, the cerebral cortex can be considered the key to
evolved intellect in humans (Stagnor & Walinga, 2014).
4
References
Cadwell, C. R., Bhaduri, A., Mostajo-Radji, M. A., Keefe, M. G., & Nowakowski, T. J. (2019).
Development and arealization of the cerebral cortex. Neuron, 103(6), 980-1004.
Stangor, C.(2014, October 17). Introduction to Psychology- 1st Canadian Edition. Pressbooks.
https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontopsychology/