Localisation of function

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Localisation of function
Specific areas of the brain are associated with specific cognitive processes.
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Motor cortex
Responsible for generating voluntary motor movements. Located in the front lobe on both hemispheres.
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Somatosensory cortex
Processes information from sensory receptors e.g. uses sensory information from the skin to produce sensations of touch, pressure, pain and temperature which it localises to body regions. In the parietal lobe on both hemispheres.
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Visual cortex
The primary visual centre in the brain. In the occipital lobe on both hemispheres. Contains several areas which each process different types of visual information e.g. colour, shape or movement.
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Where does visual processing begin?
In the retina where light enters and strikes the rods and cones. Nerve impulses transmit to the brain via the optic nerve. Most impulses terminate in the thalamus, which acts as a relay station and pass information onto the visual cortex.
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How is auditory information processed?
The cochlea in the inner ear converts sound waves to nerve impulses which travel to the brain stem that carries out basic decoding. The next stop is the thalamus which processes the stimulus further. Last stop is the auditory cortex.
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Auditory cortex
The last stop of auditory processing. The sound has largely been encoded by this point but in the auditory cortex it is recognised it and may result in an appropriate response. In the temporal lobes on both hemispheres.
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Broca's area
Area in the frontal lobe which is related to speech production. But neuroscientists have found that this area is activated in cognitive tasks not involving language.
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Tan - Broca's area
A man who could understand spoken language but couldn't speak or express himself in writing. Named Tan because that was the only syllable he could say. Studied by the French neurosurgeon Paul Broca.
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Fedorenko et al (2012) - Broca's area
Discovered two regions of Broca's area, one involved in language and the other involved in responding to many demanding cognitive tasks e.g. a maths problem.
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Wernicke's area
Area in the posterior portion of the left temporal lobe which is important in understanding language.
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Lashley (1930) - Challenge to localisation: equipotentiality
Proposed equipotentiality. Claimed intact areas could take over responsibility for specific cognitive functions after damage to an area. So, the effects of damage to the brain are determined by the extent rather than the location of damage.
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Dronkers et al (2007) - Language production may not be confined to Broca's area alone
Re-examined the two brains of Broca's patients. Found that other areas besides Broca's could have contributed to patients' speech disruption. Lesions to Broca's area can cause temporary speech disruption but they don't usually cause severe disruption
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Responsible for generating voluntary motor movements. Located in the front lobe on both hemispheres.

Back

Motor cortex

Card 3

Front

Processes information from sensory receptors e.g. uses sensory information from the skin to produce sensations of touch, pressure, pain and temperature which it localises to body regions. In the parietal lobe on both hemispheres.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The primary visual centre in the brain. In the occipital lobe on both hemispheres. Contains several areas which each process different types of visual information e.g. colour, shape or movement.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

In the retina where light enters and strikes the rods and cones. Nerve impulses transmit to the brain via the optic nerve. Most impulses terminate in the thalamus, which acts as a relay station and pass information onto the visual cortex.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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