Final answer:
The statement is true as the folding of the cerebral cortex significantly increases the surface area available for neuronal connections, allowing for a higher density of neurons and enhanced brain function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of folding the surface of the cortex is indeed to increase the capacity for neuronal connections, which allows for a greater amount of gray matter to fit within the cranial cavity. This extensive folding in the cerebral cortex enables the brain to maximize its processing power in the limited space available. These folds in the form of gyri and sulci allow for a higher surface area where more neurons can reside, leading to more synaptic connections and ultimately to a more complex brain function.
During embryonic development, as the telencephalon expands, the pattern of folds that results allows for the division of the cortex into four major lobes - the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe - each with specific functions. Structures such as the lateral sulcus and the central sulcus serve as landmarks separating these lobes. If we were to lay out the cerebral cortex flat, it would have an approximate surface area of one square meter, indicating just how much the folding increases its capacity.
Therefore, the statement "The purpose of folding the surface of the cortex is to increase the capacity for neuronal connections" is True.