Introduction
The normal human brain is divided into two main sections which are the right and the left cerebral hemispheres. The brain decodes any information in duplicate, each hemisphere decodes information in its own way and sends it to a specific part of the body on the opposite side to trigger an action. The right hemisphere communicates with the left side of the body and vice versa. Thus, any malfunctioning of the right hemisphere as a result of a disease for instance, is manifested on any body organ on the left half. However, this is not to say that both sides do not communicate and are independent of each other. The corpus callosum which is a bunch of nerves links the hemispheres and aid communication. However, no single person on the face of the planet depends fully on either hemisphere of the brain. It one point the inactive hemisphere makes a contribution to the body activities.
This writing aims at establishing the functioning of the cerebral hemispheres of a ten year old who is said to have several problems with his abilities. He has been recommended to his teacher for a hemispherical testing. He is first tested on his ability to read and apply detailed instructions regarding geometrical forms. This he does perform excellently, an indication that his left cerebral hemisphere at this juncture functions properly. The left side is responsible for processing information in small bits till everything is done. Here things are arranged in a systematic order through which the bigger picture is revealed (Mavrides, 1980).
The second test examines his verbal ability by making him read simple sentences aloud. The teacher is disappointed with the response as it does go well with the boy. He garbles the words and distorts the sequence with which the words are stated. The left hemisphere is responsible for verbalization. In this case, there seems to be a problem with the ten year old’s left hemisphere since he can’t express himself effectively when asked to do so.
The third test examines the ten year old’s ability to remember and reproduce. The teacher is delighted at his great performers. This is a clear indication that the boy’s right cerebral hemisphere is in good shape. It is responsible conceptualizing and remembering things and events as they occur in the real world (Mavrides, 1980).
Lastly, the teacher seeks to examine the boy’s manual dexterity in the non-dominant arm and hand. In this case the ten year old is the boy is left-handed, and is required to perform all sorts of mechanical tasks with his right hand. This does not go well with the boy as he is not in apposition to complete a single task. This clearly shows a problem with the left side of the boy’s brain. He is not able to co-ordinate activities with his right hand.
The final experiment carried out was performed on a patient with a split brain. A split brain patient can be defined as a person whose right and left cerebral hemispheres have been separated. The nerve fibers at the corpus collasum responsible for linking the two hemispheres in this case are cut off. Therefore, the right hemisphere knows nothing about what the left hemisphere has seen or what it is up to. Upon flashing the word HERON across the visual field of a split brain patient, HER is transmitted to his right hemisphere and ON to his left hemisphere. Therefore when asked what he has seen the patient says he saw ON but points to HER. The reason behind this would be, the left hemisphere’s verbal ability more developed than that of the right hemisphere. The right side contributes emotionally for instance it would do better with giving directions (Paradiso, 2007).
Reference list
Bear F. Connors B. Paradiso M. (2007). Neuroscience: exploring the brain. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Pg 629.
Holmes O. (1990). Human neurophysiology: a student. Oliver Holmes. Routledge
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]