pt 4. Forebrain and Lateralization Flashcards pt 4

Flashcards covering the forebrain, cerebral hemispheres, lateralization, and split-brain research based on the lecture transcript.

What is the largest part of the brain and the site of higher level thinking?

The forebrain

Which three parts of the brain are included in the forebrain?

The cerebrum, the cerebral cortex, and the limbic system

What are several functions controlled by the cerebrum?

Muscle movements, speech, thought, emotions, reading, writing, and learning

Into what two distinct parts is the cerebrum divided?

The left and the right hemispheres

What is the corpus callosum?

A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres, allowing them to communicate and share information

What name is given to the idea that the left and right hemispheres tend to be stronger at certain kinds of tasks?

Lateralization

At what specific task is the left hemisphere generally better?

Language processing

What are two examples of visual-spatial tasks the right hemisphere tends to be better at?

Reading maps or recognizing faces

Is there scientific evidence that being left-brained or right-brained determines a person's personality?

No, there is no scientific evidence for a strict divide like that

What percentage of right-handed people use their left hemisphere for language?

$95\%$ to $99\%$

What percentage of left-handed people use their left hemisphere for language?

Around $70\%$

What aspects of language development are assisted by the left hemisphere?

Speech production (talking and forming words) and language comprehension

What are four specific strengths of the right hemisphere?

Identifying mirror images, understanding spatial relationships, mentally rotating images, and recognizing faces

How does the right hemisphere contribute to emotional and cognitive processing?

It helps process emotions and direct attention

What is a split brain operation?

A rare, last resort surgery for severe drug-resistant seizures (like epilepsy) where the corpus callosum is cut

Why do surgeons cut the corpus callosum in patients with extreme seizures?

To stop electrical storms causing seizures from passing freely between hemispheres

Where is visual information from the right visual field sent?

To the left hemisphere

Where is visual information from the left visual field sent?

To the right hemisphere

According to research on epilepsy patients, how did split brain surgery affect personality and intelligence?

Participants still had normal cognitive abilities and their personality and intelligence did not change

In a split brain patient, what happens if an image of an apple is shown in the right visual field?

The person can say they saw it because it is processed by the left hemisphere

In a split brain patient, what happens if an image of an apple is shown in the left visual field?

They cannot say what they saw because the right hemisphere cannot put it into words

How can a split brain patient non-verbally identify an object seen only by the right hemisphere?

By pointing to it or picking it up with their left hand

What is the primary benefit of split brain research for scientists?

It helps researchers understand how each hemisphere specializes in different tasks while working together in a normal brain

What role does the right hemisphere play in navigation?

It helps us navigate spaces by understanding spatial relationships

What structure ensures the two hemispheres work together as a team?

The corpus callosum