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Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System
Chapter 11, Problem 15

a. What is the advantage of having a cerebrum that is highly convoluted? b. What term is used to indicate its grooves? Its outward folds? c. Which groove divides the cerebrum into two hemispheres? d. What divides the parietal from the frontal lobe? The parietal from the temporal lobe?

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Step 1: Understand that the cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for higher brain functions such as thought and action.
Step 2: Recognize that a highly convoluted cerebrum increases the surface area, allowing for a greater number of neurons and thus enhancing cognitive abilities.
Step 3: Identify that the grooves in the cerebrum are called 'sulci' (singular: sulcus), and the outward folds are known as 'gyri' (singular: gyrus).
Step 4: Note that the groove dividing the cerebrum into two hemispheres is called the 'longitudinal fissure'.
Step 5: Understand that the 'central sulcus' divides the parietal lobe from the frontal lobe, and the 'lateral sulcus' (or Sylvian fissure) divides the parietal lobe from the temporal lobe.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cerebral Convolution

The cerebrum's convoluted structure, characterized by folds and grooves, increases its surface area, allowing for a greater number of neurons. This enhanced surface area is crucial for higher cognitive functions, such as reasoning, problem-solving, and memory, as it provides more space for neural connections.
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Gyri and Sulci

The grooves of the cerebrum are called sulci, while the outward folds are known as gyri. These structures are essential for maximizing the brain's surface area within the confines of the skull, facilitating complex brain functions by allowing for more cortical tissue to be packed into a smaller volume.
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Cerebral Hemispheres and Lobes

The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres by the longitudinal fissure, a prominent groove. Additionally, specific lobes of the cerebrum are separated by other grooves; for instance, the central sulcus divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe, while the lateral sulcus separates the parietal lobe from the temporal lobe, each playing distinct roles in processing different types of information.
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