The wonders of the human brain are a testament to the wonder of evolution, a remarkable organ encased within the skull so intricately complex.
The human brain is indisputably the most important organ in the human body. From performing basic functions to enabling humans to learn and think in extraordinary ways, it is capable of many things. It is like a super cool computer with around 100 billion tiny parts called neurons.
Think of neurons as the brain’s building blocks. These neurons are like friends who chat with each other through trillions of connections, and they’re way more than the stars in the Milky Way galaxy. They talk through connections, creating a web that shapes our thoughts and memories.
They govern our thoughts, emotions, and actions, orchestrating a symphony of cognitive processes that define human existence. This network, often compared to a supercomputer’s wiring, is what makes the brain so amazing at processing information.
People have always been fascinated by the brain, and thanks to fancy technologies like brain scans (fMRI and EEG), scientists can peek into its secrets. They’ve mapped different areas, watched how neurons party, and figured out some of the brain’s tricks for thinking and feeling. It’s like a dance of signals that happens when we think and experience things.
The typical brain comprises about 2% of the body’s total weight but uses 20% of it’s total energy and oxygen intake. Your brain is 73% water. A mere 2% dehydration can affect your attention, memory, and other cognitive skills.
The brain can think super fast, zooming at 120 meters per second, and being the control centre and mastermind behind all the activities in the body, it’s power is incredible. However, this fascinating organ continues to baffle many scientists due to its complexity.
The brain can be divided into three main parts:
The cerebrum
The cerebral is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for initiating and coordinating movement, regulating temperature, speech, judgment, thinking and reasoning, problem-solving, emotions, learning, vision, hearing, touch, and other senses.
The brain stem
The brain stem is located beneath the cerebrum, it connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls many of the body’s automatic functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
The cerebellum
The cerebellum is located beneath the cerebrum and behind the brain stem and is responsible for coordinating movement and balance.
Our brain is like a superhero in our head. It helps us think, feel, and do things. Let’s discover the cool things it does!
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Brain Flexibility: Learning and Growing
Imagine your brain is elastic—it can stretch and learn new things all the time! Learning new stuff, like a game or a language, makes your brain even stronger.
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Memory Magic: Remembering Special Moments
Your brain is like a memory book. It keeps all your favourite moments, like birthdays and fun times with friends. Sometimes, it surprises you by remembering things you thought you forgot!
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Feelings Friend: How Your Brain Handles Emotions
Your brain helps you feel happy, sad, anxious, angry or excited. It’s like a feelings wizard! Understanding how your brain handles emotions helps you understand yourself and others better.
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Artistic Brain: Being Creative and Smart
Did you know your brain is a creativity champ? It can do many things at the same time, It helps you draw, sing, and think of fun ideas. Being creative makes your brain super smart and full of cool thoughts.
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Sensational Senses: How Your Brain Understands the World
Your brain is like a superhero detective, figuring out what’s happening around you. It helps you see colours, hear music, and feel the softness of a pet. Your brain makes the world a colourful and exciting place!
Conclusion
So, your brain is like a superhero that helps you learn, remember, feel, create, and understand the world. It’s the coolest thing inside your head! Taking care of your brain is like having a superhero friend for life who will not just be there for you when you need it but be with you all your life. Keep exploring and having fun with your amazing brain!
Researched by Adejoke Toye
