Final answer:
The two main areas of the brain involved in neural switching are the brainstem, which crosses the neural connections, and the cerebral cortex, specifically Broca's and Wernicke's areas for language processing. These switches contribute to the lateralization of brain functions and the coordination of sensory and motor pathways for comprehensive processing of information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the functioning of the brain in terms of switching neural connections and processing information. The two brain areas primarily involved in switching are the brainstem and the cerebral cortex. More specifically, Broca's and Wernicke's areas are involved in language processing and are part of the cerebral cortex. The brainstem is responsible for the crossing over of the ascending and descending neural connections (the decussation of pyramids), which is why the left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa.
This switching results in the segregation of visual information, where each hemisphere processes visual stimuli from the opposite visual field. Sensory nerves carry information from the body to the brain and motor nerves from the brain to the spinal cord cross the midline in the brainstem, which contributes to the phenomenon of lateralization. Other processes like attention, arousal, and motor responses involve broad areas of the brain, engaging visual sensory areas, motor areas, and integration areas for the coordination of complex activities. The fight-or-flight response is an example where the amygdala and other limbic structures mediate a switch in brain state. Additionally, pathways such as the 'what pathway' and 'where/how pathway' help the brain process visual inputs for object recognition and spatial awareness. These involve the occipital lobe, temporal lobe, and the parietal lobe, indicating how the distribution of activation in the brain can be widespread and complex during tasks.