Final answer:
The gyri and sulci of the cerebral cortex are responsible for significantly increasing its surface area, allowing for more efficient information processing and higher cognitive functions in humans and other mammals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anatomic features of the cerebrum that greatly increase the surface area are the gyri (bumps) and sulci (grooves).
The cerebrum is a significant component of the central nervous system (CNS), with the cerebral cortex being the most conspicuous aspect of it. The cerebral cortex is characterized by a complex pattern of folds, which include the gyri and sulci. These folds are crucial as they increase the surface area available for cerebral functions. The surface of the brain, or the cerebral cortex, with its myriad of gyri and sulci, enables more gray matter to fit inside the limited space of the cranial cavity. This expanded surface area is essential for processing a vast amount of information in the brain and is tied to the intelligence and complex social behaviors that distinguish mammals, especially humans.
The extent of cortical folding can vary among species. For example, a rat's cortex has very few sulci and gyri, while cats and sheep have more. In comparison, primates such as chimpanzees and humans, along with other intelligent mammals like dolphins, exhibit even more extensive cortical folding, reflecting a higher cortical surface area relative to brain size.