What does "it" refer to?

Hi~ In the follwoing sentences, what does the pronoun "it" refer to in this context?

The scope of learning OR automated core information and principles ?

And as for the "which-clause" in blue, what do you think is the subject of "produce"?

The fact that the area is activated OR sufficient automation and embodied cognition?

Any idea would be welcomed. Thanks a lot in advance~

When automated core information and principles learned through
embodied cognition come together, students suddenly see the scope of
learning and begin to connect it to a breadth of related and even unrelated
prior learning. They can draw conclusions and ask relevant questions.
Students engaging in higher-level thinking have been captured through
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Cohen’s team
found that the area known as the ventromedial orbitofrontal cortex is activated
when there is sufficient automation and embodied cognition, which
produces increased blood flow activity in this region resulting in increased
comprehension.