Final answer:
The mammalian cortex, specifically the neocortex, has six distinct layers that are involved in a variety of complex brain functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mammalian cortex, specifically the neocortex, is critically involved in many complex brain functions. Vertebrate brains, and particularly those of mammals, come in various sizes and complexities. The neocortex covers the cerebrum and is distinguished by its layered structure. Humans have the largest area of neocortex, which correlates to our sophisticated mental abilities, and this is partly due to the many folds in our cerebral cortex, which increase the surface area. When we talk about distinct layers of the mammalian cortex, we refer to the number of cell layers present in the neocortex, and mammals have six distinct layers. These layers are specialized for various types of neurological processing and play a pivotal role in functions such as sensory perception, generation of motor commands, spatial reasoning, and in higher functions such as language and cognition.