Question

scientists have identified one part of the brain that can change after an amputation. this part of the brain is called the somatosensory (suh-mat-uh-sen-suh-ree) cortex. it receives signals about physical sensations from limbs and other body parts.when a body part is amputated, it stops sending signals to the somatosensory cortex. when this happens, the somatosensory cortex itself can change.some scientists think that these changes in the somatosensory cortex create new types of signals in the brain. the scientists hypothesize that the brain interprets these signals as phantom pain in the body part that has been amputated.what might happen to the somatosensory cortex of a person who has a foot amputated?click the blue words to correct the following statements.before the persons foot is amputated, it sends signals to the somatosensory cortex. but after the foot is amputated, the somatosensory cortex receives signals from the foot. when this happens, the somatosensory cortex can change in a way that may cause phantom pain.

Explanation:

1. Before amputation, the foot sends signals to the somatosensory cortex, which matches the text's description of the cortex receiving physical sensation signals from body parts.
2. After amputation, the foot stops sending signals, so the somatosensory cortex no longer receives signals from the foot.
3. The text states that changes in the somatosensory cortex create new signals the brain interprets as phantom pain, so the cortex changes in a way that leads to (is interpreted as) phantom pain, rather than directly causing it.

Answer:

Before the person's foot is amputated, it sends signals to the somatosensory cortex. But after the foot is amputated, the somatosensory cortex stops receiving signals from the foot. When this happens, the somatosensory cortex can change in a way that may be interpreted as phantom pain.