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Description

Brain is the center of nervous system. It weighs approximately 1.359 kg. Together with the spinal cord, it forms the central nervous system. They are very important in coordinating different parts of the body, so require a lot of protection. The brain is enclosed by the bony skull and three layers of tissues called meninges. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column.

Functions

Each part of the brain has a different function. If one part is damaged in any way, the corresponding function will be greatly affected.

The brain consists of three main parts: cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It consists of two hemispheres separated by a deep grove connected by the corpus callosum. It is also highly folded to increase the surface area for more neurons. Each hemisphere contains four lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. The frontal lobe, located at the anterior of the cerebrum, mainly controls thinking, reasoning and some voluntary movements. The parietal lobe, located on the upper posterior of the cerebrum, receives signals from the muscles, skin, joints and some other senses. The temporal lobe, located on the lower sides of the cerebrum, receives mainly sound signals. The occipital lobe, located on the lower posterior of the cerebrum, receives information from the eyes and forms mental images.

The cerebellum is under the posterior of the cerebrum. It controls balance, posture and coordination of muscles. It is also highly folded.

The medulla is the posterior of the brain and connects to the spinal cord. It controls involuntary movements such as heartbeat, breathing, swallowing, coughing and sneezing.

Diseases

Diseases of the brain are usually severe and can affect many parts of the body. Some of the diseases are genetically related, while others are more common among the elderly.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive disease due to deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The lack of dopamine causes shaking, tremors, unstable posture and loss of balance. It affects 1 in 100 people over 60 years old. Medication to increase the levels of dopamine can be given to help ease some symptoms. It is usually diagnosed when two or more of the major symptoms are present.

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by the progressive death of brain cells. It affects some people over 65 years of age. This may cause impaired thinking and memory and the victim will eventually lose the ability to remember things. It is a fatal brain disease and mainly affects old people. Some symptoms are memory loss, continuously misplacing things, having trouble with everyday tasks, difficulty solving problems and confusing times and places. This disease is a common form of dementia. It may be difficult to diagnose because other brain disorders can be similar to this disease.

Other important facts

Your brain is only 3% of your weight but consumes 17% of your energy. The brain also requires lots of blood and lots of energy to work. One-fifth of your body’s blood is reserved for the brain. That is why strokes can greatly affect the brain in many ways, including brain damage.

To keep your brain cells from aging, you should try to use your brain more by solving problems or using software to do problem solving activities. This may slow down brain cells from aging and may reduce the risk of some diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. A healthy diet may also help keep your brain healthy. Avoid head injuries by wearing a helmet when you ride a bike. Head injuries can seriously harm your brain.