The Brain 2

The Brain – Covering All Parts- Essay, Research Paper

The Brain – Covering All Parts-

INTRODUCTION

The human body is divided into many different parts called

organs. All of the parts are controlled by an organ called the brain,

which is located in the head. The brain weighs about 2.75 pounds, and

has a whitish-pink appearance. The brain is made up of many cells,

and is the control centre of the body. The brain flashes messages out

to all the other parts of the body. The messages travel in very fine

threads called nerves. The nerves and the brain make up a system

somewhat like telephone poles carrying wires across the city. This is

called the nervous system.

The nerves in the body don’t just send messages from the brain

to the organs, but also send messages from the eyes, ears, skin and

other organs back to your brain. Some nerves are linked directly to

the brain. Others have to reach the brain through a sort of power

line down the back, called the spinal cord. The brain and spinal cord

make up the central nervous system.

The brain doesn’t just control your organs, but also can think

and remember. That part of the brain is called the mind.

PROTECTING THE BRAIN

Twenty-eight bones make up the skull. Eight of these bones

are interlocking plates. These plates form the cranium. The cranium

provides maximum protection with minimum weight, the ideal

combination. The other twenty bones make up the face, jaw and other

parts of the skull.

Another way the brain keeps it self safe is by keeping itself

in liquid. Nearly one fifth of the blood pumped by the heart is sent

to the brain. The brain then sends the blood through an intricate

network of blood vessels to where the blood is needed. Specialized

blood vessels called choroid plexuses produce a protective

cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid is what the brain literally floats

in.

A third protective measure taken by the brain is called the

blood brain barrier. This barrier consists of a network of unique

capillaries. These capillaries are filters for harmful chemicals

carried by the blood, but do allow oxygen, water and glucose to enter

the brain.

THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE BRAIN

The brain is divided into three main sections. The area at

the front of the brain is the largest. Most of it is known as the

cerebrum. It controls all of the movements that you have to think

about, thought and memory. The cerebrum is split in two different

sections, the right half and the left half.

The outer layer of the cerebrum is called the cortex. It is

mainly made up of cell bodies of neurons called grey matter. Most

of the work the brain does is done in the cortex. It is very wrinkled

and has many folds. The wrinkles and folds give the cortex a large

surface area, even though it is squeezed up to fit in the skull.

The extra surface area gives the cerebrum more area to work.

Inside the cortex, the cerebrum is largely made up of white matter.

White matter is tissue made only of nerve fibres.

The middle region is deep inside the brain. It’s chief

purpose is to connect the front and the back of the brain together.

It acts as a “switchboard”, keeping the parts of your brain in touch

with each other.

The back area of the brain is divided into three different

parts. The pons is a band of nerve fibres which link the back of the

brain to the middle. The cerebellum sees to it that all the parts of

your body work as a team. It also makes sure you keep your balance.

them to the two brain hemispheres. The thalamus is located in between

above the lower brain and under the two hemispheres.

THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE BRAIN:

Most of the above mentioned parts of the brain were produced

early in evolution but the higher mammals especially humans went on to

produce a sort of “thinking cap” on top of these parts. This

“thinking cap” was divided into two different parts, the left

hemisphere and the right hemisphere.

If the left side of your brain is more developed like most

people’s are, you are right handed. On the other hand if the right

side of your brain is more developed, then you will be left handed.

The right side of your brain is more artistic and emotional while

the left side of your brain is your “common sense” and practical side,

such as figuring out math and logic problems.

THE CEREBELLUM:

One of the most important part of the Human brain is the

cerebellum. The cerebellum is involved with the more complex

functions of the brain and sometimes is even referred to as “the brain

within the brain”. The cerebellum acts as a control and coordination

centre for movement.

The cerebellum carries small “programs” that have been

previously learned. For example, how to write, move, run and jump are