Localisation of Function in the Brain

• What is the weight of the human brain mentioned?

  1.4 kilograms
• What does the brain allow us to do?

  Move, understand language, remember, plan
• What is localization of function in the brain?

  Behavioral functions are localized to brain regions
• What are the six regions of the brain that demonstrate localization of function?

  • Visual cortex
  • Motor cortex
  • Somatosensory cortex
  • Auditory cortex
  • Broca's area
  • Wernicke's area
• Which hemisphere is Broca's area generally located in?

  Left hemisphere
• What is the role of Broca's area?

  Responsible for speech production
• What happens if Broca's area is damaged?

  Leads to Broca's aphasia
• What is Wernicke's area associated with?

  Understanding spoken and written language
• What is the consequence of damage to Wernicke's area?

  Leads to Wernicke's aphasia
• What is the function of the visual cortex?

  Processes visual information
• What can damage to the visual cortex cause?

  Cortical blindness
• What does contralateral mean in relation to the brain?

  Opposite sides control body functions
• Where is the motor cortex located?

  In the frontal lobe
• What is the role of the motor cortex?

  Plans and carries out voluntary movements
• What can damage to the motor cortex lead to?

  Loss of fine muscle function or paralysis
• What is the somatosensory cortex responsible for?

  Detects sensations from the body
• What can damage to the somatosensory cortex cause?

  Loss of sensation from the opposite side
• What is neglect syndrome?

  Ignoring areas of the body
• What is agnosia?

  Inability to recognize objects by feeling
• Where is the auditory cortex located?

  Top of the temporal lobe
• What can damage to the auditory cortex lead to?

  Deafness
• What is the significance of the case study of patient Tan?

  Demonstrated Broca's area function
• What is Broca's aphasia?

  Difficulty in producing fluent speech
• What is Wernicke's aphasia?

  Difficulty in understanding language
• What happens when both Broca's and Wernicke's areas are damaged?

  Leads to global aphasia
• What are the limitations of localization of function research?

  • Damage may extend beyond specific areas
  • Functions may not be entirely localized
  • Complex connections in the brain
• What did Lashley's 1925 study suggest about brain function?

  Functions are spread out across the brain
• What is hemispheric lateralization?

  Different functions are specialized in hemispheres
• What does the sensory homunculus represent?

  • 3D model of body perception
  • Different body areas occupy different space
  • Reflects sensory and motor information processing
• Why do some body areas take up more space in the sensory homunculus?

  More sensory and motor processing needed
• What is the thickness of the cortex in humans?

  Between 2 and 4 millimeters
• What is grey matter composed of?

  Mass of cell bodies
• What is white matter composed of?

  Myelinated axons with few cell bodies
• What is the function of the central sulcus?

  Separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe
• What is the role of the occipital lobe?

  Visual processing center
• What is cortical blindness?

  Partial or complete blindness from damage
• What does the term "localization of function" imply?

  Specific brain areas control specific functions
• What is the significance of fMRI in studying brain functions?

  Shows brain activity during tasks
• What is the relationship between the left hemisphere and language processing?

  Left hemisphere is dominant for language tasks
• What is the role of the temporal lobe?


  Involved in auditory processing and memory