The cerebral cortex:
A) Surrounds the brain in a bony shell; protecting it from injury
B) Is the part of the brain consisting of a molecular, middle, and granular layer; it contributes to motor coordination
C) Is referred to as the gray matter of the brain; it consists of six layers, many of which contain the cell bodies of neurons
D) Is also known as the white matter of the central nervous system; it is composed mainly of myelinated nerve fibers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A cortex is a rim of tissue surrounding or coating an organ. The cerebral cortex sits on the outside surfaces of the brain and is composed of gray matter (mostly neuron cell bodies). The cranium is another term for the skull-which is the structure described in answer a. Answer b is incorrect-this is a description of the cerebella cortex, rather than the cerebral cortex. Answer d is incorrect: the myelinated fibers of the central nervous system ARE known as the white matter of the brain but do not make up the cerebral cortex.

The Cerebral Cortex