Your brain is probably the most important organ in your body. As such we cover it in 22 bones fused together.
Infants have a soft spots on their head’s called Fontanelles. This is where the skull has no complete fused together yet (image to the right).
Inside the skull, the brain is sits in a special fluid called Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
This fluid serves a number of functions, it supplies the brain and spinal cord:
with water and nutrients
Removes waist from the brain cells
Cushioning from knocks to the head
The CSF is shown in blue in the video to the right.
Finally the Cerebral cortex. This is our most recent brain development.
At first glance of the brain we notice the Cerebral cortex. This is the top layer and is about 3 - 5 millimetres thick.
This gives the brain the wrinkly bumpy look.
We can dived the cerebral cortex into different sections.
Lets break up the Brain.
Firstly we can divide the brain up into two hemispheres. Left and Right.
Funnily enough the right side of the brain control the left side of our body and the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body.
We can further break the brain up into different lobes.
Now lets look at the actual structure of the brain.
As our brains have evolved they have grown, adding new parts on top but keeping the old. By that I mean, at the centre of the brain we have structures which control the most basic movements (i.e. breathing). As we progress out we see more advanced structures capable of emotions (anger and empathy). Progressing further to the top we have structures which allow for forward thought, planning and problem solving. In smaller less evolved animals these structures are much smaller.
Brain stem
Click here for an image
The brain stem is the oldest part of the brain, it is refereed to as the old brain and controls all the basic functions of the body such as breathing, digestion and heart beat. All living animals from ants to elephants have this structure.
Limbic System
Built around the brain stem is the Hypothalamus, Amygdala and Hippocampus.
These allow for Memory consolidation, temperature control, hunger and the endocrine system.
Feeling fear and anger are essential for survival.
We know that the brain controls everything in the body, from breathing to reasoning.
So what would happen if we could control someone’s brain? What if we could shut off all reasoning and logical thought and turn them into mindless drones. Or better yet
As you can see, your brain is extremely complex, but it doesn't start out this way. When you are developing in your mothers womb, millions of connections are being created. As we grow we undergo synaptic pruning. This is where useless neuron connections are cut.
Your brain is constantly undergoing neurological changes through out your life. We refer to this as Neuroplasticity.
Once you’ve read the above information, take a shot at the quiz bellow
