BrainBrain MattersMatters

Your own built in Your own built in personal computer!personal computer!

Did you know?Did you know?

The human brain only weighs 3lbs.The human brain only weighs 3lbs.

It consumes up to 20% of your body energyIt consumes up to 20% of your body energy

The brain makes up less than 2.5% The brain makes up less than 2.5% of your total body weightof your total body weight

The main sources of energy forThe main sources of energy for your brain comes from your brain comes from glucose and oxygen.glucose and oxygen.

Your whole body is made up of Your whole body is made up of cells cells

This is the nucleus of a cellThis is the nucleus of a cell

These cells make up theThese cells make up the Central Nervous System Central Nervous System

The CNS or central nervous system includes the:The CNS or central nervous system includes the:

brainbrain

spinal cordspinal cord

endocrineendocrine

They provide most of the control functions They provide most of the control functions for the bodyfor the body

Your CNS!Your CNS!

Glial CellGlial Cell

Star-shaped cells that provide physical and Star-shaped cells that provide physical and nutritional support for neurons: nutritional support for neurons: 1) clean up brain "debris”1) clean up brain "debris”2) transport nutrients to neurons2) transport nutrients to neurons3) hold neurons in place3) hold neurons in place4) digest parts of dead neurons4) digest parts of dead neurons5) regulate content of extra cellular space5) regulate content of extra cellular space

Although there are about 100 billion neurons Although there are about 100 billion neurons in the brain, there are about 10 to 50 times in the brain, there are about 10 to 50 times that many glial cells in the brain.that many glial cells in the brain.

JANITORS JANITORS OF OF THE BRAIN!!!THE BRAIN!!!

Interesting beliefs about glial Interesting beliefs about glial cells cells

During brain development they act likeDuring brain development they act likea scaffold for neurons to climb to thea scaffold for neurons to climb to thecortex (brain).cortex (brain).

It is believed that the migration can goIt is believed that the migration can gowrong and show up later as epilepsy, wrong and show up later as epilepsy, dyslexia, and maybe schizophrenia.dyslexia, and maybe schizophrenia.

•The embryonic cells The embryonic cells divide to generate divide to generate new neurons at the new neurons at the astonishing rate of astonishing rate of 250,000 per minute.250,000 per minute.

Brain DevelopmentBrain Development

A NEURONA NEURON

•A is theA is themyelin myelin sheathsheath

•B is the B is the axonaxon

•C is the C is the cell bodycell body

•D is the D is the dendritedendrite

Details of a neuronDetails of a neuron

The body is made up of billions of cells.Cells of the nervous system, called neurons, are specialized to carry "messages" through an electrochemical process. The human brain has about 100 billion neurons.

Communication of informationbetween neurons is madepossible by movement of chemicals across a small gapcalled the synapse. Chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are released from one neuron at the pre-synaptic nerve terminal. Neurotransmitters then cross the synapse where they may be acceptedby the next neuron at a specialized site called a receptor.

How Neurons CommunicateHow Neurons Communicate

Interesting Facts about NeuronsInteresting Facts about NeuronsScientists believe you are born with what you get, Scientists believe you are born with what you get, but research is challenging that.but research is challenging that.

Neurons communicate unlike other cells, Neurons communicate unlike other cells, by means of electrical and chemical energy.by means of electrical and chemical energy.

About 100 billion neurons do not regenerateAbout 100 billion neurons do not regenerateon a regular basis like other cells.on a regular basis like other cells.

Parts of your brainParts of your brain

The Frontal LobeThe Frontal Lobe

*allows you to move parts of your body at will*allows you to move parts of your body at will

* is the largest part of the cortex* is the largest part of the cortex

*it also allows you to think about the past*it also allows you to think about the pastand plan for the futureand plan for the future

*it allows you to focus your attention,*it allows you to focus your attention,reflect, make decisions, solve problems, reflect, make decisions, solve problems, and engage in conversationand engage in conversation

The Parietal LobesThe Parietal Lobes*is the flat plate like area in each hemisphere*is the flat plate like area in each hemisphere

*this is where:*this is where:

touchtouch

temperature from our environment temperature from our environment

sensations of painsensations of pain

pressure from the skinpressure from the skin

and the position of our limbs occursand the position of our limbs occurs

The Occipital LobesThe Occipital Lobes

*are located at the back of the brain*are located at the back of the brain

This is where your This is where your vision is processedvision is processed

Through research scientists Through research scientists have discovered that therehave discovered that thereare:are:

motion sensitive cellsmotion sensitive cells

color sensitive cellscolor sensitive cells

strait line cells

The Seeing BrainThe Seeing Brain

The Temporal LobeThe Temporal Lobe This part of the brainThis part of the brainis concerned withis concerned withperception and perception and recognition of auditory recognition of auditory stimuli (hearing) and stimuli (hearing) and memory (hippocampus).memory (hippocampus).

Language can be effected by Language can be effected by temporal lobe damage. Left temporal lobe damage. Left temporal damages disturb temporal damages disturb recognition of words. recognition of words. Right temporal damage Right temporal damage can cause a loss or can cause a loss or inability to talk.inability to talk.

You Think You Have Brains!You Think You Have Brains!

The brain of a dolphin appears to sleepThe brain of a dolphin appears to sleepone hemisphere at a time.one hemisphere at a time.

A bottle-nose dolphin brain A bottle-nose dolphin brain weighs between 1,500 and weighs between 1,500 and 1,600 grams. An average 1,600 grams. An average adult human brain weighs adult human brain weighs about 1,400 gramsabout 1,400 grams.

How can I take How can I take care of my brain?care of my brain?

Vitamins are essential!Vitamins are essential!

Good nutrition is Good nutrition is equally important. equally important.

Exercise increasesExercise increasesblood flow to blood flow to the brain. the brain.

Build up thoseBuild up thoseneurons and neurons and make those make those connections inconnections inschool!school!

Did you know you needDid you know you needat least 9 hours ofat least 9 hours ofsleep a sleep a night? night?

Try to live aTry to live astress freestress freelife. life.

PROTECT PROTECT YOURYOURBRAIN!BRAIN!

Visit yourVisit yourdoctor doctor regularly.regularly.

Stay Away From Drugs!Stay Away From Drugs!