Doreen Pang Mrs. Trainor AP Psychology 13 October 2016 Module 5-2 The Cerebral Cortex Cerebral Cortex an intricate covering of interconnected neural cells that forms a thin surface layer on the cerebral hemispheres Expansion of cerebral cortex tight genetic controls relaxes organism?s adaptability increases Frogs and other amphibians have a small cortex operates extensively on programmed genetics instructions The larger cortex of mammals offers: increased capacities for learning and thinking allows them to be more adaptable Structure of the Cortex 80% of brain?s weight = the ballooning left and right hemispheres covered w/ axons connection between brain?s surface and its other regions Cerebral cortex brain?s hemisphere contains 20-23 billion nerve cells