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The Brain's Structure
The Brain's Structure
Have you ever wondered what the brain looks like? The illustration to the left is pretty close.
The brain is a pinkish-grey colour on the outside and white on the inside. It's shaped like a wrinkly walnut that has a smooth stem branching out from the bottom.
The different parts of the brain's wrinkles have names. We call the bumps/ridges gyri and the grooves sulci. These folds allow the brain to work faster and better.
Now that we've looked at the brain as a whole, we can look at the three main parts. These are called the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
Cerebrum
Cerebrum
This is the largest part of the brain, and it is divided into two halves.
The left hemisphere (left half) controls the right side of your body.
The right hemisphere (right half) controls the left side of your body.
The cerebrum's job is to interpret the world around you (using the 5 senses) and let you react to it.
It helps you to remember things, feel emotions, think, learn, and act. It also controls voluntary movement, which means it lets you move the way you want to.
Cerebellum
Cerebellum
The word cerebellum means "little brain" in Latin! This is because it looks like a smaller version of your cerebrum.
By controlling your balance, posture, and coordination (how your body works all together), it performs its main job— to help you move smoothly.
When you learn a new physical skill like playing the piano, the cerebellum remembers the movement patterns, turning the skill into muscle memory.
This is why riding a bike is smooth and easy—even when you haven't done it in a while! The cerebellum remembers.
Brain Stem
Brain Stem
The brain stem is found underneath the cerebrum and in front of the cerebellum.
This part can be thought of as the survival brain because it controls the functions you need to live. To do this, it controls all of your involuntary muscles. These are the muscles that move without you thinking about it, like your heart beating!
Some of the tasks the brain stem helps with include:
Breathing
Digesting your food
Sleep patterns
Body temperature
The Building Blocks of the Brain
The Building Blocks of the Brain
Cells are the basic unit of life. In other words, cells make up all living things. The brain is made up of two types of cells. Let's explore these below, but first, we'll learn exactly what a cell is.
What is a Cell?
What is a Cell?
Not all cells are the same!
Different types of cells have different shapes and parts that help them do specific jobs.
In the brain, two important types of cells are neurons and glial cells. These cells look very different from each other, and that's because they have very different jobs.
Neurons
Neurons
Neurons are cells that send and receive messages between different areas of the brain and body. These messages take the form of tiny electric and chemical signals.
They help you to think, learn, move, remember things, and feel. Neurons are the superstar of the brain.
Glial Cells
Glial Cells
These are the neurons' "support" cells. There are four main types of glial cells.
Together, these cells feed the neurons, keep them healthy by fighting off germs, clean up waste or dead cells, and cover them in a special coat called myelin. Myelin helps the neurons work faster.
How many neurons and glial cells do you think are in an adult brain?
An adult brain contains about 86 billion neurons and 86 billion glial cells. That's more than all the stars in the Milky Way. To count all of the neurons in your brain, it would take over 3000 years!
Brain Fun Facts!
Brain Fun Facts!
The brain weighs around three pounds. About the same weight as a cantaloupe. Despite being light, it controls all of the things you do, feel, and think.
Have you ever heard people say we only use 10% of our brains? Well, that's a myth! We use all of the areas in our brain.
The neurons in your brain send messages between each other at a speed greater than 241 kilometres an hour. That's as fast as some sports cars go!
The brain matures in childhood and across your 20s, and as your brain develops, you gain/stengthen certain skills. However, your brain doesn't stop changing once your 20s end. The brain will continue to grow throughout your entire lifetime, and certain skills continue improving into your 50s!
The electricity made by all of the neurons in your brain is just enough to power a lightbulb! About 20 watts of power.
Your brain is always active. The different areas in your brain are constantly sending messages to one another— even while you're asleep!
A special chemical is made in your brain after exercise that makes it easier to learn. Next time you're stuck trying to learn something new, take a break and move your body in a way you love! When you return, you may find it easier to learn the same material you were stuck on earlier.
Your brain needs a lot of your body's energy, about 20-50%. So, it's crucial that you drink water, eat well, and get enough sleep!
The largest brain in the world is 20 lbs and belongs to the sperm whale!
The brain cannot feel any pain. That means when you have a headache its not your brain that is hurting, but instead all the areas around your brain.
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