Localisation of the function of the brain
- Created by: Chloewalton99
- Created on: 21-04-17 13:47
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- Localisation of the function of the brain
- The idea different parts of the brain perform different tasks and are involved with different parts of the body
- If a certain area of the brain becomes damaged, the function associated with it will also be affected.
- Hemispheres
- Left hemisphere
- Activity on the right hand side of the body is controlled by the left hemisphere
- The outer layer of both hemispheres is called the cerebral cortex which covers the inner parts of the brain
- Activity on the left hand side of the body is controlled by the right hemisphere
- The cerebral cortex is 3mm thick and is what separates us from animals as the human cortex is far greater developed
- The outer layer of both hemispheres is called the cerebral cortex which covers the inner parts of the brain
- Activity on the right hand side of the body is controlled by the left hemisphere
- Right hemisphere
- Activity on the left hand side of the body is controlled by the right hemisphere
- Left hemisphere
- Lobes
- Frontal lobe
- Motor cortex
- Controls voluntary movement in the opposite side of the body
- Damage to this area of the brain may result in a loss of control over fine movements
- Controls voluntary movement in the opposite side of the body
- Motor cortex
- Parietal lobe
- Somatosensory cortex
- Separated by an area called the central sulcus
- Sensory information from the skin is represented
- Somatosensory cortex
- Occipital lobe
- Visual area
- Each eye sends information from the right visual field to the left visual cortex or the left visual field to the right visual field
- Visual area
- Temporal lobe
- Auditory area
- Analyses speech-based information
- Auditory area
- Frontal lobe
- Plasticity
- The brain has the ability to change throughout life
- During infancy, the brain experiences rapid growth in synaptic connections (15,000 at age 2-3)
- Synaptic pruning
- Rarely used connections get deleted
- Recently used connections get strengthened
- Anytime in life, existing neural connections can change or new connections can be made as a result of learning and experience
- Functional recovery of the brain
- Following injuries such as a stroke , other areas of the brain are able to compensate or adapt
- Another example of neural plasticity
- Healthy brain areas may take over the functions of those areas that are damaged, destroyed or even missing
- The process can occur quickly after trauma (spontaneous recovery) but then slow down
- Following injuries such as a stroke , other areas of the brain are able to compensate or adapt
- An individual may require therapy to further their recovery as it slows
- The process can occur quickly after trauma (spontaneous recovery) but then slow down
- Healthy brain areas may take over the functions of those areas that are damaged, destroyed or even missing
- Hemispheric lateralisation
- Split-brain studies
- Sperry (1968)
- Language is subject to hemispheric lateralisation
- The specialised areas associated with language are found in one hemisphere not both
- Split-brain studies
- The idea different parts of the brain perform different tasks and are involved with different parts of the body
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