cerebral cortex

1. General overall function of the cerebral cortex.

  it enables us to be aware of ourselves and our sensations, to communicate, remember, and understand, and to initiate voluntary movements

2. Where is the cerebral cortex located on the cerebral hemispheres? 

outer 2-4mm of cerebral hemispheres

3. What percentage of brain mass is made up of cerebral cortex? Why so much? 

  40% brain mass, its many convolutions effectively triple its surface area

4. List and briefly describe the four generalizations regarding the cerebral cortex.

motor - controls voluntary movement

sensory-conscious awareness of sensation

association -integrate information from many areas of purposeful action

contralateral control- right hemisphere connects with the left body, left hemisphere connects with the right body, exception is speech muscles.

5. What is the term that describes the difference in function between the two hemispheres?

Hemispheric lateralization 

6. What is the location & function of the primary motor cortex? Connections? Damage? 

Function- Conscious control of skeletal muscle movement 

location- precentral gyrus

damage- loss of voluntary motor control of the muscles controlled by damaged area

7. What is the name of the cells that connect the primary motor cortex with skeletal muscles? 

Pyramidal cells

8. What is somatotopy? 

mapping of the body in CNS structures

9. Describe the motor homunculus. How is the body represented on the sensory cortex? In some detail, explain why some areas take up more space than others? Know examples of body parts taking up lots of space and body parts taking up little space. 

The entire body is represented spatially on the primary motor gyrus, which is organized so that the body is upside down and disproportionate. Body parts needing less precise control take up less space on the cortex and require fewer neurons to control them. One neuron controls many muscle cells. For example, one neuron controls 400 muscle cells in areas like the torso.

10. What is the function & location of the premotor cortex? Connections? Damage? 

location- anterior to superior precentral gyrus

function- coordinates movements of learned motor skills, sequences basic movements into a more complex task, patterned or repetitious nature(texting ,piano ,driving), muscles memory. 

damage - lose learned motor skills, but muscles still contract, and motor skills can be re-learned.

11. What is the function & location of Broca’s area? Connects? Damage? 

location- anterior to inferior primary moto cortex in left hemisphere

function- initiation speech, planning speech, planning other motor activities ,controls tongue, throat, and lips muscles, 

damage- inability to speak or write in coherent sentences

connects: through the primary motor cortex.

12. What is the location & function of the frontal eye field? 

location- inferior and anteriror to premotor cortex

function- voluntary movements of eyes 

connections throughthe primary cortex

13. Location and function of primary somatosensory cortex? Connections? Damage? 

location- postcentral gyrus

function - identify areas of skin being stimulated and limb location in space (spatial discrimination) , types of stimulation perceived are ligh touch, pressure, temp, stretch, pain.

damage- lose sensation of touch ,inability to located limbs in space 

connections - receives info from receptirs in skin, muscles, and joints

14. What is spatial discrimination?

the neurons the identify the body region being stimulated , an ability called spatial discrimination.

15. Describe the sensory homunculus. How is the body represented on the sensory cortex? In some detail, explain why some areas take up more space than others? Know examples of  body parts taking up lots of space and body parts taking up little space.  

Upside down. Contralateral connection body. Disproportionate. areas that are more sensitive take up more space in cortex., reflects the number of receptors in that body part. each recepto is in contact with a sensory neuron going to that part of the sensory.

16. What is a sensory unit? What is a receptive field? 

sensory unit- a peripheral sensory neuron and the sensory receptor asscoiated or with dendrites. 

receptive field- when you touch skin with 2 points and you feel 2 points you’re stimulation 2 receptive fields , when you touch skin with 2 point anf you feel 1 points you’re stimulation 1 receptive filed.

17. Know how body parts with different sensitivities vary with the size and density of receptive fields.  

Body part that can discriminate btw 2 point very close together

• has a high density of small recepptive fields 

• so many neurons will carry info from that body part to the cortex

• so that body part will take up large space

Body part that can only discriminate btw points far apart

• has a low density of large receptive fields 

• so fewer neurons will carry info from that body part to the cortex

• so that body part will take up less space on the cortex.

18. Location and function of somatosensory association area? Connections? Damage?

location- posterior to superior primary cortex

function-integrate and analyze input so you know what you’re feeling, size,texture,temp and relationship of parts.

connections- receives several inputs from primary sensory cortex

damage-can’t recognize objects by touch , have to look at them

19. Location and function of the primary visual cortex? Connections? Damage?

location- posterior tip and medial portion of occipital lobe

function- creates map of visual space(color, contrast, depth, brightness). rights 1.2 of visual field in left hemisphere. left 1.2 of visual field in right hemisphere. 

connections- connections with photoreceptors in retinas of eyeballs

damage- blindness

20. Location and function of the visual association area? Connections? Damage? 

location- surrounds primary visual areas and takes up most of occipital lobe.

function-interprets visual stimuli base on past visual experiences- visual memory. allows you to recognize what you’re looking at

connections-receives input from it primary visual cortex

damage- you can see but you don’t recognize what your see

21. Locations and functions of dorsal and ventral streams? 

dorsal stream( where/ how pathway)

location-  occipital and parietal lobes

function- location of objects in space, guiding reaching arms, motion

Ventral Stream(what pathwayay)

location- occipital and temporal lobes

function- form/ object recognition

22. Location and function of the primary auditory area? Connections? Damage?

location- superior temporal lobe

function-the receptors are stimulated by vibration of ear drums, pitch, rhythms, loudness and location.

connections- receives input from receptors in ears

23. Location and function of the auditory association area? Connections? Damage? 

location- posterior to primary cortex

function-let’s you perceive what you are hearing

24. Location and function of the primary olfactory cortex? Connections?

location- in medial aspects of temporal lobe(piriform lobe) 

function- conscious awareness of smell

connections-sensory nerves carry info to olfactory cortex along olfactory bulbs

25. Location and function of the gustatory cortex? Connections? Damage?

location- insula 

function--taste: sweet,bitter,salty,sour,and umami.

connections-receivves info from receptors in the tongue and cheeks.

damage- no sense of taste

26. Location and function of visceral sensory area? Connections?

location- insula

function-conscious perception of visceral sensations

27. Location and function of vestibular cortex? Connections? 

location- insula 

function- conscious awareness of balance

connections receives input from fluid filled semicircular canals 

28. Location and functions of the anterior association area? Damage?

location- prefrontal cortex

function-intellect and complex learning. personality, concern for other , planning and persitence, and judgment

damage- mood swings, loss of attentiveness, loss of inhibitions. loss of judgement, disregard of social constraints.

29. Location and functions of the posterior association area? Connections? Damage? 

location-general interpretation

function-storage site for complex memories associated with sensory areas, integrates all sensory infor into a single thought

connection- receives connections from all sensory association

damage- can’t assess a situation, can’t recognize olf faces or learn new ones, don’t recognize your body as belonging to you .

30. Location and function of Wernicke’s area? Connections? Damage? 

location-usually found in the left hemishpere

function-language comprehension(written and spoken)

connections- receives neurons form auditory and visual association areas

damage-impairment of language comprehension

31. Location and function of affective 

location-in one hemisphere opposite broca and wernicke’s

function-allows us to convey nonverbal and emotional components of language

32. What structures are part of the limbic system association area? What are its functions? 

medial surface of each cerebral hemisphere.

function- provides the emotional impact that makes a scene important to us( feelings)

cconnections with anterior association

major memory sotrage

1. Hippocampus 

2. Amygdala

To effectively study these notes on the cerebral cortex, consider the following strategies:

1. Active Recall: Test yourself on each section by summarizing information without looking at the notes to reinforce memory.

2. Spaced Repetition: Review the notes over spaced intervals to transfer information from short-term to long-term memory.

3. Visualization: Create diagrams or mind maps to visualize the connections between different areas and functions of the cerebral cortex.

4. Quizzing: Use flashcards to quiz yourself on key terms and definitions, such as 'hemispheric lateralization' and 'motor homunculus.'

5. Group Study: Discuss the material with peers to deepen understanding and gain different perspectives.

6. Teach Someone Else: Attempt to explain the concepts to someone else; teaching is a great way to solidify your own understanding.