Scientists have discovered a remarkable system they call mirror neurons that explains the modeling/mimicking process that is central to much human learning. Their initial studies involved a left hemisphere area called Broca's Area that regulates speech production. In a presentation at Cambridge University that was posted on the Internet, the renowned neuroscientist V. S. Ramachandran (2000) suggested that the discovery of mirror neurons might provide the same powerful unifying framework for our understanding of teaching and learning that the discovery of DNA did for our understanding of genetics.

A smoothly coordinated motor sequence involves the typically unconscious preparation for a movement followed by the actual movement. For example, while my left index finger is typing the c in cat, my left little finger is getting ready to type a and my left index finger will shortly move up to the top row to type the t. The result is a single seamless typing action - cat.

The motor cortex plays a key role in activating such muscles. It's a narrow ear-to-ear band of neural tissue, with specific segments dedicated to regulating specific groups of body muscles. The premotor area directly in front of the motor cortex primes the next movements in a motor sequence.