Which of the following best describes what occurs when a person's brain processes sound?

• A. The cerebellum analyzes the emotional content of spoken words.
• B. The occipital lobe translates sound waves into visual images.
• C. The auditory cortex interprets neural signals from the ear as meaningful language.
• D. The hippocampus converts sound into motor responses.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the brain regions involved in processing sound. The auditory cortex, located in the temporal lobe, is primarily responsible for interpreting sound information received from the ears.
2. Step 2: Understand the function of the auditory cortex. It converts neural signals generated by sound waves into meaningful perceptions such as language, music, or other sounds.
3. Step 3: Recognize the roles of other brain areas mentioned. The cerebellum mainly coordinates motor control and balance, not emotional analysis of speech; the occipital lobe processes visual information, not sound; and the hippocampus is involved in memory formation, not converting sound into motor responses.
4. Step 4: Compare the options given with the known functions of these brain regions to determine which statement accurately describes sound processing.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement 'The auditory cortex interprets neural signals from the ear as meaningful language' best describes what happens when the brain processes sound.