Final answer:
The motor cortex in the frontal lobe controls voluntary movements, while the sensory cortex, located in various lobes, processes sensory information from the environment. Integrative areas in the brain then combine this sensory information with motor signals to execute complex tasks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Function of the Motor and Sensory Cortex
The function of the motor cortex is to control voluntary movements by sending signals to muscles in the body. It's located in the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex and is specifically involved in planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements. On the other hand, the sensory cortex includes regions of the cerebral cortex involved in the reception and interpretation of sensory stimuli from the body. Located in different lobes (occipital for vision, temporal for audition, and parietal for touch), the sensory cortex processes and interprets sensory information to allow for the conscious perception of the environment.
For example, when reading text, sensory input begins with the eyes and progresses through a series of cortical areas, including the primary visual cortex, to the frontal lobe, which coordinates eye movement. These movements are executed through motor signals from the motor cortex, resulting in coordinated muscle contractions. Integrative areas extend beyond sensory or motor functions, such as the posterior parietal cortex, where they serve to combine sensory and motor information for complex tasks like reaching.
The prefrontal cortex, a part of the frontal lobe, is involved in higher cognitive processes such as working memory, attention, and planning towards goal-directed behaviors.