Localisation of Function

• What is the focus of A Level Biopsychology?

  Localisation of function and brain plasticity
• What does localisation of function in the brain refer to?

  Certain brain areas are responsible for specific functions
• Which areas are involved in language processing?

  Broca's and Wernicke's areas
• What is hemispheric lateralisation?

  Functions controlled by one brain hemisphere
• Which hemisphere controls the right side of the body?

  Left hemisphere
• What is the role of the motor area?

  Responsible for voluntary movements
• What happens if the left motor cortex is damaged?

  Paralysis occurs on the right side
• Where is the somatosensory area located?

  Parietal lobe
• What does the auditory area do?

  Analyses and processes acoustic information
• Which lobe contains the visual area?

  Occipital lobe
• What is Broca's area responsible for?

  Speech production
• What is the effect of damage to Broca's area?

  Results in Broca's aphasia
• What does Wernicke's area do?

  Responsible for language comprehension
• What happens if Wernicke's area is damaged?

  Leads to Wernicke's aphasia
• Who was Tan and what did his case demonstrate?

  He had Broca's aphasia due to brain damage
• What was the significance of Phineas Gage's accident?

  It provided evidence for localisation of function
• What did Dougherty et al (2002) find in their study?

  30% of OCD patients showed reduced symptoms
• What did Peterson et al (1988) discover about brain activity?

  Different areas active during language tasks
• What did Tulving et al (1994) suggest about memory?

  Semantic and episodic memories are lateralised
• What did Lashley (1950) conclude about learning in rats?

  No specific area is crucial for learning
• What does Lashley’s equipotentiality theory state?

  Intact areas can take over functions after injury
• What did Danelli et al (2013) find about language function?

  Language function can be regained after surgery
• How do lateralisation patterns change with age?

  They become less lateralised in adulthood
• What did Harasty et al (1997) find about gender differences in brain areas?

  Women have larger language areas than men
• What does split brain research suggest about language?

  Language is primarily localised in the left hemisphere
• What is the corpus callosum?

  A bundle of nerve fibers connecting hemispheres
• What are the six areas of cortical specialisation mentioned?

  Broca’s, somatosensory, visual, Wernicke’s, motor, auditory
• What is the task related to labelling the brain?

  Label the lobes and areas of the brain
• What is the difference in function between Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area?

  Broca's area is for speech production; Wernicke's for comprehension
• What is the significance of the exam questions mentioned?

  They assess understanding of localisation of function
• What does the term 'endogenous pacemakers' refer to?

  Internal biological clocks regulating rhythms
• What are 'exogenous zeitgebers'?

  External cues that influence biological rhythms
• What are the three types of biological rhythms?

  Circadian, infradian, and ultradian
• How do endogenous pacemakers affect the sleep/wake cycle?

  They regulate the timing of sleep and wakefulness
• How do exogenous zeitgebers influence the sleep/wake cycle?

  They provide external cues for sleep timing
• What is the difference between circadian, infradian, and ultradian rhythms?

  Circadian: daily; infradian: longer than a day; ultradian: shorter than a day
• What is the role of the visual cortex?

  Processes visual information about shape and color
• What is the function of the auditory area?

  Processes pitch, volume, and sound
• What is the significance of the left hemisphere in language processing?

  It is primarily responsible for language functions
• What does the term 'Broca's aphasia' refer to?

  Difficulty in speech production due to brain damage