What is described by the term 'agnosia'?

The term 'agnosia' specifically refers to the inability to recognize or identify objects, people, sounds, or smells, despite having intact sensory function. When a person has agnosia, they can see an object but cannot comprehend what it is or cannot name it due to cognitive processing issues rather than sensory deficits. This condition can occur due to brain damage or neurological disorders, typically affecting the areas of the brain responsible for interpretation of sensory information.

The other options represent different types of communication or cognitive disorders. The inability to produce language is classified as expressive aphasia, the inability to remember spoken words relates to problems with memory or language processing often seen in different types of aphasia, and the inability to read or write is known as dyslexia or alexia, depending on the specific nature of the reading/writing difficulties. Each of these conditions involves different cognitive or language processes distinct from agnosia.