Which combination of brain areas is most actively engaged simultaneously when learning to play a musical instrument?

• A. Amygdala, parietal lobe, and hypothalamus
• B. Motor cortex, auditory cortex, and prefrontal cortex
• C. Occipital lobe, hippocampus, and cerebellum
• D. Broca's area, temporal lobe, and medulla oblongata

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the roles of each brain area mentioned in the options. For example, the motor cortex is involved in planning and executing movements, the auditory cortex processes sound, and the prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher cognitive functions like decision-making and attention.
2. Step 2: Consider the cognitive and physical demands of learning to play a musical instrument, which requires coordinating movement (motor skills), processing auditory feedback (hearing the music), and using executive functions (planning, attention, and memory).
3. Step 3: Analyze each option by matching the brain areas to these demands. For instance, the combination of motor cortex, auditory cortex, and prefrontal cortex aligns well with the need for movement control, sound processing, and cognitive control during musical learning.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the other options by their typical functions: the amygdala is related to emotion, the hypothalamus to autonomic functions, the occipital lobe to vision, the hippocampus to memory, the cerebellum to coordination, Broca's area to speech production, and the medulla oblongata to basic life functions. Determine if these align with the task of learning an instrument.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the combination involving motor cortex, auditory cortex, and prefrontal cortex is most actively engaged simultaneously when learning to play a musical instrument, as it covers the essential sensory, motor, and cognitive processes required.