Cerebral Cortex: Brain Analysis

The cerebral cortex is defined by Kalat (2014) as being the most prominent part of the forebrain, consisting of multiple layers of cells that are located on the exterior of the cerebral hemisphere. These layers of cells consist of either white matter or gray matter, as well as the axons that transfer information with neurons, either through the corpus callosum or the anterior commissure, and connect both the right and left hemispheres of the brain (Kalat, 2013). The cerebral cortex contains six layers of cell bodies, called laminae, which differ in both functionality and structure. The cortex also has cells that are perpendicular to the laminae and all have similar properties (Kalat, 2013). Additionally, the cerebral cortex is also organized …show more content…
This part of the brain is often associated with different types of sensory information, including spatial processing, body awareness, and computing feelings of touch. Within the parietal lobe is the postcentral gyrus, which receives sensory input from the muscles, joints, and touch receptors of the body (Kalat, 2013). Without this sensory and perceptive information, it would make such simple tasks and behaviors impossible. For example, when we eat a bowl of soup, the parietal lobe is responsible for helpings bring the spoon from the bowl up to the mouth (Dementia and the Brain, 2014).
The temporal lobe is the area of the brain located near the temples. It contains the hippocampus, which is the area of the brain that maintains memory and is most often associated with the retention of both short and long term memories. According to Kalat (2013), the temporal love is the primary cortical target for auditory information and is essential to understanding language comprehension and labeling. This area of the brain is also responsible for emotional and motivational behaviors. When there is damage to the temporal lobe, some behaviors can be affected, such as the expression of anger or