[EvaH (OP)]

Brian asks:

How are different types of memories stored in the brain? For example, how does looking at a painting differ from watching a music video? When you look at a painting is the image stored in one brain cell or many brain cells? When you see a music video, is the video portion all stored in one brain cell or scattered across many brain cells? If scattered across many brain cells, are the cells clustered or scattered? Similarly, how are the lyrics from the music video stored? Is each word stored in a separate brain cell or can one brain cell retain a phrase or entire song?

Can you help?

[charles1948]

I think most "visual" processing is carried out by the back part of the brain - the "occiput".
If the occiput gets damaged, you go blind.   I only surmise this from reading Alistair MacLean's novels.

Is it true?

[charles1948]

Brian asks:

How are different types of memories stored in the brain? For example, how does looking at a painting differ from watching a music video? When you look at a painting is the image stored in one brain cell or many brain cells? When you see a music video, is the video portion all stored in one brain cell or scattered across many brain cells? If scattered across many brain cells, are the cells clustered or scattered? Similarly, how are the lyrics from the music video stored? Is each word stored in a separate brain cell or can one brain cell retain a phrase or entire song?

Can you help?

I would think that even a single "brain cell" has more than enough storage capacity to record an entire song, or hi-resolution video image.  Given the organic molecular complexity of the cell.

Consider that the single wavy line on a vinyl LP record can record a symphony.
And the spiral of binary "pits" on just one DVD, can record the entire contents of the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey".

If the LP and DVD, which are just dead bits of etched plastic, can do that, can't a living brain cell beat them hollow?