Question

The primary motor cortex:

A) Is active when a person is told to mentally rehearse a movement, but not to execute it
B) Is located in the parietal lobes
C) Is somatotopically organized
D) Does not receive inputs from the premotor cortex
E) Develops motor programs for voluntary tasks

Answer 1

The primary motor cortex, located in the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe, is somatotopically organized and works closely with the premotor cortex to plan and execute voluntary movements.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary motor cortex is crucial in planning and executing voluntary movements, and it is located in the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe. Notably, neurosurgeon Walter Penfield contributed to our understanding of this region by electrically stimulating the surface of the cerebrum, observing direct responses in muscle movement. This area of the brain is somatotopically organized, meaning it has a topographic representation of the body, known as the motor homunculus, where different body parts are mapped to specific areas on the cortex based on the complexity of their movements. Additionally, the primary motor cortex receives input from the premotor cortex and other areas which aid in movement planning, proving that it is well-integrated with other motor-related cortical areas.