If a person with split-brain syndrome smells a rose with her right nostril only, would she be able to identify the rose by pointing to a picture of it?
A) Yes, with her left hand only.
B) Yes, with her right hand only.
C) Yes, with either hand.
D) No, with neither hand.
E) No, because there would be no conscious recognition of the smell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In split-brain syndrome, the corpus callosum, which connects the two hemispheres of the brain, is severed. Smell information from the right nostril is processed by the right hemisphere. The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body, so the person would be able to identify the rose by pointing to a picture of it with her left hand only, as the language and analytical functions (including naming or identifying objects consciously) are typically located in the left hemisphere, which in this case would not receive the information directly due to the split-brain condition.

If a Person with Split-Brain Syndrome Smells a Rose with Her