Functional specialization (brain)
Functional Specialization (Brain)
Functional specialization is a concept in the field of neuroscience that refers to the specialization of various parts of the brain for different types of processing or tasks.
Pronunciation
/fʌŋkʃənəl ˌspɛʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃən (breɪn)/
Etymology
The term "functional specialization" is derived from the English words "function" and "specialization". "Function" comes from the Latin functio meaning performance, and "specialization" comes from the Latin specialis meaning particular.
Definition
Functional specialization suggests that different areas in the brain are specialized for different functions. This concept is based on the observation that the neurons in different parts of the brain have different properties and connect to different areas, suggesting they have different roles in processing information.
Related Terms
- Lateralization of brain function: The tendency for some cognitive functions to be more dominant in one hemisphere than the other.
- Neuroplasticity: The ability of the brain to change and adapt in response to experience.
- Cerebral cortex: The outer layer of the brain, involved in many higher-level cognitive functions.
- Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
See Also
References
- Principles of Neural Science, Fifth Edition. Eric R. Kandel, James H. Schwartz, Thomas M. Jessell, Steven A. Siegelbaum, A. J. Hudspeth. McGraw-Hill, 2013.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Functional specialization (brain)
- Wikipedia's article - Functional specialization (brain)
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