Final answer:
The cerebral cortex is composed of grey matter, which is associated with processing and cognition, and is distinguishable from white matter that consists mostly of myelinated axons aiding in communication within the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of matter that forms the cerebral cortex is grey matter. Grey matter consists of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, glial cells, and capillaries. It is involved in muscle control, sensory perception such as seeing and hearing, memory, emotions, speech, decision making, and self-control. On the other hand, white matter is the type of nervous tissue that is found only in the brain and spinal cord. This type of matter consists mainly of myelinated axons and serves to connect various gray matter areas and facilitate communication between them. The cerebral cortex is the part of the cerebrum that is external and is known for its wrinkled appearance, which increases the surface area for neural connections. Within the cerebrum, deep under the gray mantle of the cerebral cortex, lies the white matter of the corpus callosum that plays a crucial role in communication between the two cerebral hemispheres.