HUMANS
The human neocortex is the most developed among all species of the animal kingdom. Taking up approximately half of our brain's volume.
The outer layer surrounds the brain, notably oversized and containing extensive gyri and sulci. The surface area is thought to contribute to our advanced cognitive, emotional, and behavioural abilities as a species, allowing for more significant amounts of synapses and connections.
The human brain contains over 100 billion neurons, proving itself to be the most advanced brain in the animal kingdom. However, while we may feel our cognitive abilities are limitless, our brains are confined to their underlying structures, with a limit on how much information they can input and process. As more gyri and sulci take shape and the human brain becomes increasingly convoluted, it has the ability to change shape to allow for the optimization of surface area. The human neocortex also has an extensive amount of plasticity, which is the ability of the nervous system to actively change based on stimuli and reorganize its circuits based on injury, environmental change, and learning experiences.
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One of the most noteworthy features of the human brain is the development of the prefrontal cortex, which contributes approximately one-third of the neocortex. This area is suggested to be a primary component in metacognitition (the ability for humans to be aware of their own thoughts), language, and reasoning.The human brain contains a large number of specialization areas with unique regions, such as our well-developed temporal lobe, which allows us to comprehend and speak specific languages in the most efficient manner possible.
The human neocortex is comprised of four distinct sections, each with specialized functions:
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Frontal lobe: This is the largest lobe of the human brain, serving functions related to decision-making, impulse control, and problem-solving. This lobe houses the prefrontal cortex, which is essential for metacognition, self-awareness, and cognitive thinking. It also contributes to motor control, emotion regulation, and language.
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Parietal lobe: This lobe is responsible for inputting and processing sensory information such as pain, touch and temperature while being part of the neural network for spatial attention.
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Temporal lobe: Your temporal lobe is strongly associated with the auditory cortex, comprehension of communication, long term memory and regulation of emotions, and object/facial recognition.
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Occipital lobe: dedicated to processing visual stimuli, including the interpretation, distinguishing colours, perceiving motion and contributing to object and facial recognition alongside the temporal lobe.