Final answer:
Cortical regions in the visual cortex, located in the occipital lobe of the cerebral cortex, are activated when actively looking at something. These regions work in conjunction with the frontal lobe to process and respond to visual information. Imaging studies like fMRI scans demonstrate activation in these visual processing areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you are actively looking at something, cortical regions in your visual cortex are activated. This area is specifically located in the occipital lobe of the cerebral cortex. This visual processing involves not just the primary visual cortex, known as area V1, but also surrounding areas V2 and V3, which constitute the visual association cortex. These areas further refine visual perceptions by adding details such as color and motion. The information is then processed through two streams, the ventral stream into the temporal lobe, contributing to memory integration, and the dorsal stream into the parietal lobe, assisting in spatial localization and body movements.
Moreover, the frontal lobe, especially the prefrontal cortex, plays a vital role in executive functions related to the processed visual information, such as attention and working memory. Activation in these regions is evident from imaging studies such as fMRI scans. For instance, an fMRI scan can show activation of the visual cortex in response to visual stimuli, as depicted in Figure 12.7.