Brain 101: Fun facts about the brain that will blow your mind!

The human brain is one of the most complex organs in our body. It contains over 100 billion neurons, which are connected by billions of connections. 

As we all know, the brain is responsible for the majority of our body functions and capabilities. It controls our muscles, senses, and emotions. It also helps us learn new things and remember information.

Our brain is sensitive to different types of stimuli. For example, it reacts quickly to visual cues, sounds, smells, and touch. It can change its structure and function in response to experience or injury. For example, a traumatic brain injury can cause changes in the way the brain functions.

In this article, we will be discussing some fun facts about the brain:

1: The brain is made up of fat

In a study by H.H. Michell (1945), it is said that the brain and heart are composed of 73% water. However, as studies were conducted throughout the years, it was discovered that the brain is actually composed of 60% fat, making it the fattiest organ in our body. The remaining 40%, on the other hand, is a combination of water, protein, carbohydrates, and salts1.

2: The brain has 3 main parts

The brain is generally divided into three main parts: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brainstem.

The biggest part is the cerebrum. It is responsible for initiating and coordinating movement, as well as temperature regulation. Other areas of the cerebrum allow speech, cognition, and learning, and it is also the part of our brain that is responsible for our emotions. Other functions of the cerebrum relate to our five senses.

It is also in the cerebrum where we can find the cerebral cortex. It’s the gray matter that covers the cerebrum and comprises about half of the brain’s weight. The cerebrum is divided into hemispheres (the left and right) and into four regions (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital). (more on the cerebrum below)

The cerebellum or “little brain” is located at the back of the head, below the cerebrum. It also has two hemispheres—the outer portion (contains neurons) and the inner portion (communicates with the cerebral cortex).

The cerebellum is responsible for our motor skills and helps in maintaining our posture, balance, and equilibrium.

The brainstem, which is located at the base of our brain, connects the brain to our spinal cord. It consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. 

3: The brain is composed of neurons and Glia

When you think of the brain, the first thing that comes to mind is probably its complexity and mystery. But have you ever considered what it's actually composed of? The brain is made up of neurons and Glia, two specialized cell types that work together to create the amazing organ we know as our brain. Neurons are responsible for transmitting electrical signals throughout the body, while Glia is responsible for providing support and insulation for the neurons. Together, they form a complex and interconnected network that allows us to process information and experience the world around us. 

4: Neurons are the cells that make up the brain

As mentioned, the brain is a complex and mysterious body organ, and neurons are the cells that make up this incredible organ.

Neurons are specialized cells that have the unique ability to transmit electrical and chemical signals. They are found in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, and their primary function is to send, receive, and process signals. Neurons can be divided into three main categories - sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons. Sensory neurons are responsible for receiving sensory information from the environment and transmitting it to the brain. Motor neurons are responsible for sending signals from the brain to the muscles, causing them to move. Interneurons are found between these two types of neurons, forming connections between them and allowing for communication between different parts of the body. 

Neurons also have other important functions such as helping with memory formation and learning. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help neurons communicate with each other by binding to receptors on the surface of other neurons. Different combinations of these neurotransmitters help to form our thoughts and feelings. By studying the neurons and understanding how they interact with each other, scientists can gain insight into how our brains work and how they can be improved to treat a variety of neurological disorders. 

Neurons are essential for our ability to think, learn, remember, feel emotions, and respond to our environment. Without them, we wouldn't be able to do any of these things. Understanding how neurons function helps us to better understand ourselves and how the brain works. It is an area of research that continues to fascinate scientists all over the world.

5: Glia are non-neuronal cells that help support neuron connects

One of the most important components of the brain is the Glia, non-neuronal cells that help to support neuron connections. Glia is essential in providing structural support for neurons, regulating neurotransmission, and helping to protect neurons from damage or stress. Although Glia is non-neuronal, they still play an essential role in neuron function. They help to increase the speed and efficiency of neuron communication and also promote neuron survival.

Glia also provides physical support for neurons by producing myelin, and also by providing insulation to help neurons communicate with each other more quickly.

Glia also plays a role in helping to form new connections between neurons by providing a scaffold for the formation of new synapses. Without glia, neurons would be unable to function properly, as they are essential for the formation and maintenance of neuronal connections. 

6: The cerebrum is responsible for thinking and feeling

The brain is a complex and mysterious body organ, and the cerebrum is its largest part, responsible for a range of functions that affect how we think and feel. The cerebrum is split into two hemispheres, the left and right. The left hemisphere is responsible for analytical thinking, logic, and problem-solving, while the right hemisphere is responsible for more creative tasks like music, art, and intuition. The two hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum which helps the brain coordinate the two halves.

The cerebrum also contains regions associated with language and communication, memory, and emotion. Within these regions lies the neurons that control our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It's amazing to think that this vital organ is responsible for so much of who we are. It's a reminder that our brains are powerful and complex machines that need to be cared for in order to keep them functioning at their best.

7: The lobe system allows communicating with others

The brain is the hub of our thought processes and behaviors, and it's also responsible for our ability to communicate with others. The lobe system is one of the most important parts of the brain when it comes to communication. This system is made up of four distinct lobes: frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital. Each lobe plays a unique role in how we communicate with others in different ways.

The frontal lobe is responsible for executive functions such as problem-solving, decision-making, and self-control. The temporal lobe is key to understanding language and speech, while the parietal lobe helps with spatial processing and interpreting sensory information. Last but not least, the occipital lobe is what helps us process visual information. Together, these four lobes help us make sense of the world around us and communicate effectively with others.

By working together, these four lobes allow us to express our feelings, thoughts, and ideas in order to better understand one another.

8: The Hippocampus plays a key role in memory formation and storage

Have you ever wondered how your brain is able to store and recall memories? One of the key players in memory formation and storage is the hippocampus. Located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain, the hippocampus plays a critical role in forming new memories and storing them for long-term recall. It helps us create associations between two or more ideas so that they become easier to remember.

The hippocampus is also responsible for spatial navigation. It works together with the neocortex, which serves as the storage center for our memories. When we experience something new, the hippocampus takes in this information and sends it to the neocortex for storage. This process is repeated as we experience more and more events, creating a strong foundation of memories that we can draw upon later on. The hippocampus helps us to recall all sorts of memories, from details about our childhood to where we left our car keys! Without it, our ability to remember would be greatly diminished.

9: The amygdala is responsible for emotional reflexes and impulses

Located deep within the brain, the amygdala is responsible for a wide range of emotional reflexes and impulses. It's like the brain's own personal alarm system, alerting us to potential danger and helping to regulate our responses to it. Even though we may not be completely aware of it, our amygdala is constantly monitoring our environment and deciding how we should react to it. This can be seen in situations that require us to make decisions quickly, such as when we are faced with a potential danger. Our amygdala will kick into action and send signals to other parts of our brain, helping us to make decisions on the spot. It also plays a role in more subtle ways, such as helping us to recognize familiar faces or recognize subtle nuances in people's tone of voice. In short, the amygdala is an important part of our brains, responsible for regulating our emotional reflexes and impulses.

10: The thalamus relays messages between brain areas 

Located deep within the brain, the thalamus serves as a relay station, sending messages between different areas of the brain. It is an incredibly important part of our cognitive functioning, playing a vital role in how we perceive and process information. The thalamus is responsible for communication between sensory information, such as sight and sound, and other parts of the brain, such as the cortex. It also plays an important role in controlling consciousness and alertness as well as our ability to experience emotions. Without the thalamus, we would not be able to make sense of the sensory inputs we experience on a daily basis. Additionally, the thalamus can also modulate the signals it sends out, allowing us to focus or ignore certain sensory inputs. This helps us to concentrate on important tasks and filter out unnecessary information. It’s amazing to think that this small part of our brain plays such an essential role in our lives.

11: The spinal cord connects the brain to other body organs

The spinal cord is one of the most important parts of your body, connecting your brain to all of your body organs. This connection is vital for sending signals between the brain and the body, allowing us to move and feel. The spinal cord is made up of nerves that travel from the brain down toward the lower back. These nerves are responsible for carrying messages from the brain to the organs and muscles in the body. The spinal cord also helps protect our vital organs, such as the heart and lungs, as it provides a cushioning system that absorbs shock and prevents injury. Without the spinal cord, our bodies would be unable to function properly. It's essential for our everyday life, so it's important to keep it healthy and strong.

Together, the spinal cord and the brain make up the central nervous system.

Conclusion

The brain is a fascinating and incredibly complex organ, and it is made up of many different parts. The amygdala, thalamus, and spinal cord are three of the most important parts of the brain and are responsible for a wide range of functions. The amygdala helps to regulate our emotional reflexes and impulses, the thalamus relays messages between brain areas, and the spinal cord connects the brain to the body organs. Each of these parts play an essential role in how our brain works, and without them, our bodies would not be able to function properly. It's important to understand how these parts work together to keep our bodies healthy and strong.