Neocortex

The neocortex is a part of the cerebral cortex in mammals, involved with higher evolved functions. In humans, the neocortex possesses abilities such as sensory perception, reasoning, language and motor skills. According to lab article, Preferential electrical coupling regulates neocortical lineage-dependent microcircuit assembly, the evidence support the main hypothesis in that electrical coupling between sister excitatory neurons regulate the formation of specific synapses in a developing neocortex, and thus resulting in forming ontogenetic columns. This article is important to the general educated audience because it presents basic rules in which guide neural connectivity in the neocortex. The sister neurons become electrically coupled, which is a spread of potential change from one cell to another, by current flow through gap junctions, the region of contact between two cells. This is done during the postnatal period of the cortex, which also revealed correlated spiking activity in brain slices. Afterwards, the cells showed high probabilities of developing connections through chemical synapses, the site at which neurons make functional contact. The…

He then develops on this idea and extrapolates how modern hunter-gatherers would have depended heavily on social relations. The author then posits that a large size of neocortex and thus the brain allows primates to easily find food in a forest environment and also allows enhanced comprehension and cohesion. He also explains how primates have the ability to interpret the actions of others (Machiavellian intelligence). He says that this skill must have allowed our ancestors to work effectively in…

communicate using our thoughts and consciously control what we choose to do in each situation. Humans are the peak representation of consumers of gossip, being the only species to exist on the planet that communicate through the use of language, which led to Dunbar’s invention of his number. The number initially was created by accident, when Dunbar was in the process of solving the uncertainty of why primates devote a substantial amount of their time and effort to groom themselves. During this…

fear. With respect, to the theme of mind controls Burnett explains that the brain’s control of the body sometimes results in irrational behaviours. For example, the neocortex, the part of the brain that deals with higher functions, is able to overrule basic human instincts that are essential for survival, which can result in extreme dieting and eating disorders. With regard to the theme of mental health, the author…

The structure of the cerebral cortex The cerebral cortex is the cerebrum’s outer layer. It is divided into two cortices, the left and the right cerebral hemispheres divided by the medial longitudinal fissure. The cerebral cortex plays a major role in memory, attention, perception, awareness, thought, language, and consciousness. The human cerebral cortex is thick about 2-4mm.The cerebral cortex is gray matter, consisting mainly of cell bodies and capillaries. It contrasts with the underlying…

a healthier life. Those who want to achieve a healthy balance of self-control takes mental practice and patience. Achieving self-control mentally separates us, now, from our ancestors and the animal kingdom. The reason for this separation is due to the prefrontal cortex that has evolved. The major differences between our ancestors and us, now, is that we have the rationality to contemplate choices rather than acting on our immediate impulses. We can plan and evaluate our choices that will…

In the human body, motor commands are created in a division of the prefrontal cortex (responsible for higher level cognition) known as the neocortex. The neocortex houses the motor cortex and thus is responsible for motor control, which is the primary impairment in Parkinson’s Disease (Kaas & Stepniewska, 2016 SD). Onset typically follows a significant drop in the presence of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which in this case is generated from a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. The…

As previously learned in class, the definition of evolution is the change in variant frequencies in a population over time. The four forces that evolution acts on are mutations, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection. From an evolutionary psychology perspective, the physical structure of the brain has changed over time, thus allowing humans to develop complex behavioral patterns. When comparing brains with primates, humans have a larger and heavier brain. When compared to a…

severe and sudden onset of gram-negative bacterial meningitis in November of 2008. He is the author of the book Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife. Within four hours of falling ill and rushed to the hospital, Dr. Alexander slipped into a deep coma for seven days. The neocortex of his brain had completely shut down and he had, at best, a 10 percent chance of survival. During that week, his consciousness journeyed, beyond the veil, to Heaven. Had this perfect storm of…

hippocampus sends memories out to the appropriate part of the cerebral hemisphere for long-term storage and retrieves them when necessary. We can see how this part of the brain would have been essential millions of years ago. Mammals did not have sophisticated weaponry or any means to defend themselves through the use of advanced equipment, their only necessities would have been the procuration of food and the ability to decide whether to “fight or flight”. The Neocortex, cerebrum, the cortex…