The Cerebral Cortex U3

The outer layer of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex. It is the centre of conscious thought; it also recalls memories and alters behaviour in light of experience. It is the largest and most complex part of the human brain.

It is divided so that different areas carry out different roles. This is referred to as localisation of function and helps the brain to be more efficient.

Sensory Area - Receives information as sensory impulses from receptors (e.g. sense organs) Association Area - Analyse and interpret impulses received from the sensory areas and deals with thought processes, language, personality, imagination and intelligence. Motor Area - Act on information from association areas by sending motor impulses to effectors. By this means, coordination of voluntary movement is achieved.

The corpus callosum is a band if nerves which allows the transfer of information between the left and right hemispheres. The left deals with information from the right visual field and controls the right side of the body. The right deals with information from the the left visual field and controls the left side of the body.

In rare cases a person can be born without a corpus callosum or may have had it cut due to serious epilepsy. This results in split brain syndrome. The cerebral hemispheres do not share information and each process information separately.