Which area of the brain develops the most between 3 to 4 months of age in human infants?

• A. Medulla oblongata
• B. Cerebral cortex
• C. Cerebellum
• D. Hypothalamus

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the developmental milestones of the human brain: Between 3 to 4 months of age, human infants experience rapid brain development, particularly in areas associated with sensory processing, motor skills, and higher cognitive functions.
2. Review the functions of the cerebral cortex: The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher-order brain functions such as sensory perception, voluntary motor activity, and cognitive processes like attention and memory. These functions are crucial for the developmental milestones observed in infants during this period.
3. Compare the cerebral cortex with other brain regions: The medulla oblongata primarily controls autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate, which are already functional at birth. The cerebellum is involved in motor coordination, but its development is more prominent later in infancy. The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis and hormonal functions, which are also active early in life but do not show the same rapid development as the cerebral cortex during this specific age range.
4. Focus on the cerebral cortex's role in sensory and motor development: At 3 to 4 months, infants begin to exhibit improved visual tracking, reaching for objects, and responding to stimuli, all of which are linked to the cerebral cortex's maturation.
5. Conclude that the cerebral cortex develops the most during this age range: Based on its critical role in sensory, motor, and cognitive development, the cerebral cortex is the area of the brain that undergoes the most significant growth and functional enhancement between 3 to 4 months of age in human infants.