Module 12

The Cerebral Cortex Cerebral cortex= 1/8th of an inch thick & contains 20-23 billion nerve cells The larger the cortex, the more adaptable The cerebral cortex is wrinkled– you only see about 1/3 of it The folds increase the brain’s surface area.

The Cerebral Cortex Made up of densely packed neurons we call “gray matter” Glial Cells- the “glue” cells that guide neural connections and provide nutrients support brain cells. Wrinkles are called fissures.

Hemispheres Divided into to hemispheres. In general… Left Hemisphere: logic and sequential tasks. Right Hemisphere: spatial and creative tasks.

Our brain is divided up into four lobes

Frontal Lobe Frontal Lobes (behind your forehead) involved in speaking, muscle movements, & making plans and judgments. Abstract thought and emotional control. Contains Motor Cortex: sends signals to our body controlling muscle movements. Contains Broca’s Area: responsible for controlling muscles that produce speech. Damage to Broca’s Area is called Broca’s Aphasia: unable to make movements to talk.

Motor and Somatosensory Cortex

Parietal Lobe Parietal Lobes (at the top and to the rear) include the sensory cortex. Contain Sensory Cortex: receives incoming touch sensations from rest of the body. Most of the Parietal Lobes are made up of Association Areas.

Robotic Arm moves with Thoughts

Association Areas Areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in higher mental functions such as learning remembering, thinking, and speaking NOT associated with receiving sensory information or coordinating muscle movements.

Association Areas- Interpret, integrate, and act on information processed by the sensory areas. Enable us to judge, plan, and process new memories. People with damaged frontal lobes may have intact memories, score high on intelligence tests, and bake a cake, but unable to plan ahead to begin baking a cake. Others will remember recipes, measurements, and techniques but can not decipher the steps in preparing the meal.

Visual Cortex in Action

Brain Activity when Hearing, Seeing, and Speaking Words

Brain Plasticity The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood. Children’s brains are more plastic than adults.

Gabby Gifford

Girl with Half a Brain!

Neurogenesis The brain forming new neurons in an attempt to mend itself