Make an Argument Using at Least Three Sensory Systems as to Whether

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Grandmother cell coding and population cell coding are two proposed mechanisms for how the brain encodes complex stimuli. Grandmother cell coding suggests that a single neuron is responsible for representing a specific concept or stimulus, such as a particular face or object. Population cell coding, on the other hand, suggests that a population of neurons collectively represents a concept or stimulus through their combined activity.

When considering these mechanisms, it is important to take into account the involvement of multiple sensory systems in processing complex stimuli. For example, when perceiving a familiar face, the brain integrates information from the visual system (seeing the face), the auditory system (hearing the person's voice), and the olfactory system (smelling their scent).

Firstly, from a visual perspective, grandmother cell coding seems less likely to be the sole mechanism for coding complex stimuli. The visual system alone processes a vast array of stimuli, and it would be impractical for a single neuron to represent each individual stimulus. Population cell coding, which allows for distributed representation across a population of neurons, seems more plausible in this context.

Secondly, from an auditory perspective, the involvement of multiple sensory systems also supports the idea of population cell coding. When recognizing a familiar voice, the brain integrates auditory information with other sensory inputs, and it is more likely that a population of neurons collectively represents the concept of that voice rather than a single grandmother cell.

Lastly, from an olfactory perspective, the complexity of stimuli and the need for flexibility in representing various scents also aligns with the idea of population cell coding. Different combinations of odor molecules can create a wide range of scents, and it would be more efficient for a population of neurons to collectively encode these diverse stimuli.

In conclusion, considering the involvement of multiple sensory systems and the complexity of stimuli that humans experience, population cell coding appears to be a more likely mechanism for coding complex stimuli. This allows for distributed representation across a population of neurons, accommodating the diverse and flexible nature of human perception.

Make an Argument Using at Least Three Sensory Systems as to Whether

Definitions: