Question

HOMUNCULUS: What is the adaptive or evolutionary value to the amount of space dedicated to each body part? How does the human homunculus compare to that of other animals? Why?

Answer 1

Homunculus: Representation of body on mapping onto cortex(distorted human body)

1)Adaptive or evlotionary value to the amount of space dedicated to each body part:

The amount of space dedicated to each body part is no proportional to its body region surface or volume.

I.e. more complex areas has larger representation and vice versa.

2) human homunculus comparison with other animals:

As each species has different brain weight accordingly to their complexity of body , for ex; human have 1300-1400 g, elephant has 6000 g, cat has 30g. This does not mean that smaller brains are not inteligent than larger species ,they both posess necessary functions for their sensory information.

During evolution the brain areas show most changes over cerebral hemisphere according to functions like from not thinking,not aware of consciousness to memory, thinking awareness, language, consciousness,perceptual.(From chimpanzee,cat to human i.e fifth to sixth sense)