A gyrus is an elevated ridge of cerebral tissue. The convolutions seen in the cerebrum are important because they increase the surface area. Gray matter is composed of neuronal and glial cell bodies. Fiber tract that provides for communication between different parts of the same cerebral hemisphere is called an association tract, whereas one that carries impulses from the cerebrum to lower CNS areas is called a projection tract
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
A gyrus is an elevated ridge of cerebral tissue found on the surface of the brain. These ridges, together with the grooves between them (called sulci), form the complex structure of the cerebrum. The presence of gyri and sulci significantly increases the surface area of the cerebral cortex, allowing for a greater number of neurons to be packed into the same volume. This increased surface area is crucial for cognitive functions, as it provides more space for neural networks involved in complex mental processes such as perception, memory, and decision-making.
Gray matter is a type of brain tissue made up of neuronal cell bodies and glial cells. Neurons in the gray matter are responsible for processing and integrating information, while glial cells provide support, nourishment, and protection to the neurons. The cerebral cortex, which is the outer layer of the cerebrum, contains a high concentration of gray matter and is essential for higher cognitive functions like reasoning, emotions, and voluntary movement.
Fiber tracts in the brain allow different regions to communicate with each other. The association tracts are pathways of fibers that connect different parts of the same cerebral hemisphere. These tracts facilitate the communication between regions that work together to process related information. For example, association tracts connect areas of the cortex involved in language processing or spatial reasoning.
In contrast, projection tracts are long fibers that carry impulses from the cerebral cortex to other parts of the central nervous system, such as the brainstem or spinal cord. These tracts are responsible for transmitting motor commands from the brain to muscles and sensory information from the body to the brain. The corticospinal tract, which is involved in voluntary motor control, is a well-known example of a projection tract.
