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Amnesia in humans is the loss of memory. Which of these parts of the brain has been affected when someone is suffering from amnesia caused by head trauma?
Medulla oblongata
Spinal Cord
Cerebellum
Cerebral Cortex
The correct answer is: Cerebral Cortex
The cerebral cortex is crucial for various higher-order brain functions, including memory processing and retrieval. When head trauma occurs, it can lead to damage in the areas of the cerebral cortex that are responsible for forming and storing long-term memories. Particularly, the temporal lobe, located within the cerebral cortex, plays a significant role in memory and learning. Damage to this region can result in difficulties with both short-term and long-term memory, characteristic of amnesia. Understanding the role of the cerebral cortex in memory is essential, as it emphasizes the complexity of memory systems. The cortex integrates sensory information and is involved in the conscious experience of memory, including recalling facts and past experiences. Therefore, when head trauma affects the cerebral cortex, it can disrupt these processes, leading to amnesia.