Our brain is the most complex organ in our bodies. Much has been learned about how the brain functions so we'll discuss more about this here.
In humans, the Brain is the center of the entire nervous system. The brain is encased in the cranium or skull. Although it has a similar structure to other mammals, the human brain is more three times larger than the brain of another mammal with equivalent body size.
The added size and features is what makes the human brain so much more complex and highly functioning. A lot of the expansion is due to the cerebral cortex which is a mass of neural tissue which covers the surface of the fore brain.
The frontal lobes are quite large as well. This area of the brain is associated with things like self control, planning, reasoning and abstract thought. The occipital lobe is believed to be associated with vision and it is quite a bit larger than other mammals.
It is estimated that there are 80 to 90 BILLION non neuronal cells in the brain and an equivalent number of neurons. These cells pass signals to each other through as many as 1000 trillion synaptic connections.
The brain performs many key functions. It monitors and regulates many parts of the body. It receives sensory information and quickly analyzes and then responds to this data. Several key areas of the brain perform different functions.
For example the brainstem controls things like breathing, heart rate, and other processes which are independent of conscious thought. The brainstem is thought to be the more primitive part of the brain.
The neocortex is where higher order thinking occurs. It is also directly related to learning and memory.
The cerebellum controls the body's posture and movement.
The Brain is extremely sensitive and must be protected from the outside world. Although it is encased in a hard bony structure, the brain is suspended in cerebrospinal fluid which helps to further cushion and protect it from impact and other threats. The brain is also isolated from the bloodstream through the blood-brain barrier.
At the same time the brain is still susceptible to different types of injury and disease. The most common come from impacts due to accidents or a blow to the head. The brain can also be affected by degenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's disease.
But as researchers learn more about the brain, they are also learning how to better protect it and find treatments for different diseases which can affect it.
In humans, the Brain is the center of the entire nervous system. The brain is encased in the cranium or skull. Although it has a similar structure to other mammals, the human brain is more three times larger than the brain of another mammal with equivalent body size.
The added size and features is what makes the human brain so much more complex and highly functioning. A lot of the expansion is due to the cerebral cortex which is a mass of neural tissue which covers the surface of the fore brain.
The frontal lobes are quite large as well. This area of the brain is associated with things like self control, planning, reasoning and abstract thought. The occipital lobe is believed to be associated with vision and it is quite a bit larger than other mammals.
It is estimated that there are 80 to 90 BILLION non neuronal cells in the brain and an equivalent number of neurons. These cells pass signals to each other through as many as 1000 trillion synaptic connections.
The brain performs many key functions. It monitors and regulates many parts of the body. It receives sensory information and quickly analyzes and then responds to this data. Several key areas of the brain perform different functions.
For example the brainstem controls things like breathing, heart rate, and other processes which are independent of conscious thought. The brainstem is thought to be the more primitive part of the brain.
The neocortex is where higher order thinking occurs. It is also directly related to learning and memory.
The cerebellum controls the body's posture and movement.
The Brain is extremely sensitive and must be protected from the outside world. Although it is encased in a hard bony structure, the brain is suspended in cerebrospinal fluid which helps to further cushion and protect it from impact and other threats. The brain is also isolated from the bloodstream through the blood-brain barrier.
At the same time the brain is still susceptible to different types of injury and disease. The most common come from impacts due to accidents or a blow to the head. The brain can also be affected by degenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's disease.
But as researchers learn more about the brain, they are also learning how to better protect it and find treatments for different diseases which can affect it.
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