Final answer:
The sensory areas of the cerebral cortex receive and process sensory information. The primary sensory areas have the most direct contact with sensory receptors, and the secondary sensory areas help integrate sensory information into meaningful patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option is e. a and b are correct.
The sensory areas of the cerebral cortex are responsible for processing and interpreting sensory information. The primary sensory areas, such as the primary visual cortex and primary auditory cortex, receive sensory information from the thalamus for conscious perception. These primary sensory areas have the most direct contact with sensory receptors, allowing for initial processing of sensory information. The secondary sensory areas, also known as association areas, help integrate sensory information into meaningful patterns. They are adjacent to the primary sensory areas and further process the modality-specific input. These areas play a crucial role in understanding complex sensory information.