Final answer:
A. breathing
Breathing is not a function of the cerebral cortex; rather, it is controlled by the brainstem. The cerebral cortex handles cognitive processing, emotion, memory, and reasoning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you asked pertains to the functions of the cerebral cortex and asks which of the listed processes is not a function of it. Option A, breathing, is the correct answer. Although the cerebral cortex is responsible for higher-level processes like emotion, memory, and reasoning, the control of breathing is primarily managed by the brainstem, particularly the medulla oblongata and the pons. These areas of the brain are separate from the cerebral cortex and are vital for the regulation of autonomic functions like breathing and heartbeat. The cerebral cortex facilitates complex mental functions such as cognitive processing, associating sensory stimuli with learned behavior, and processing visual information.
The cerebral cortex is responsible for many higher level processes such as memory, emotion, and consciousness. However, one of the processes that is not directly controlled by the cerebral cortex is breathing. Breathing is actually regulated by the brainstem, specifically the medulla oblongata, which controls involuntary functions like breathing and heartbeat.