Detailed notes on Localisation of Function in the brain. Each part of the brain explained with roles, functions and importance.
Provided key words and summaries that will help answer a range of questions (AO1,AO2,AO3)
Localisation of Function in the brain
KEY TERMS:
● LOCALISATION OF FUNCTION - theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for
different behaviours, processes or activities
● MOTOR AREA - the region of the frontal lobe involved in regulating movement
● SOMATOSENSORY AREA - area of the parietal lobe that processes sensory information such
as touch
● VISUAL AREA - part of the occipital lobe that receives and processes visual information
● AUDITORY AREA - located in the temporal lobe and concerned with the analysis of speech-
based information
● BROCA’S AREA - area of the frontal lobe of the brain in the left hemisphere (in most people)
responsible for speech production
● WERNICKE’S AREA - an area of the temporal lobe (encircling the auditory cortex) in the left
hemisphere (in most people) responsible for language comprehension
LOCALISATION OF FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN :
● LOCALISATION VERSUS HOLISTIC THEORY -
➔ Broca and Wernicke, discovered that specific areas of the brain are associated with
particular physical and psychological functions
➔ Before investigation - scientists supported holistic theory of the brain (that all parts
of the brain responsible for processing thought and action)
➔ Broca and Wernicke argued for their theory “Localisation of function” (cortical
specialisation). Different parts of the brain perform different tasks for different
parts of the body
➔ If that specific area of the brain is damaged, function associated with also be
affected
● HEMISPHERES OF THE BRAIN AND THE CEREBRAL CORTEX -
➔ Brain is divided into 2 symmetrical halves: left and right hemisphere
➔ Physical and psychological functions are controlled or dominated by a particular
hemisphere - “lateralisation”
➔ Activity on the left hand side of the body is controlled by the right hemisphere
➔ Activity on the right hand side of the body is controlled by the left hemisphere
➔ Outer layer of both hemispheres is called the cerebral cortex (cortex)
➔ The layer is 3 mm thick. This is what separates us from other animals because the
human cortex is much more developed
➔ Cortex appears grey due to the location of cell bodies
● THE MOTOR, SOMATOSENSORY, VISUAL AND AUDITORY CENTRES -
➔ Cortex is subdivided into 4 lobes which are named after the bones beneath which
they lie: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe and temporal lobe
➔ Each associated with different functions
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