DETAILED FUNCTIONING OF BRAIN

WHAT IS BRAIN:
The brain is the most complex and vital organ in the
human body, serving as the control center for all bodily
functions and processes. It is part of the central nervous
system and plays a fundamental role in various cognitive,
emotional, and physiological functions. The brain is
composed of a network of billions of neurons, which are
specialized cells that transmit electrical and chemical
signals.

WHAT IS THE BRAIN MADE OF?

Weighing about 3 pounds in the average adult, the brain
is about 60% fat. The remaining 40% is a combination of
water, protein, carbohydrates and salts.

HOW DOES THE BRAIN WORK?

Throughout the body, the brain transmits and receives chemical and electrical
messages. Different impulses govern various processes, which your brain interprets.
Some messages are stored in the brain, while others are sent to distant regions via the
spine and the body's massive network of nerves. The central nervous system relies on
billions of neurons to do this.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BRAIN:
The brain possesses several key characteristics that make it a remarkable and complex
organ:
HIGHLY COMPLEX STRUCTURE: The brain is incredibly complex, with
billions of neurons (nerve cells) and trillions of synapses (connections) between them.
This complexity allows it to perform a wide range of functions.
ADAPTIVE AND PLASTIC: The brain exhibits a high degree of plasticity,
meaning it can adapt, reorganize, and change in response to learning, experiences, and
environmental factors.
BILATERALLY SYMMETRICAL: The brain is divided into two hemispheres,
each with distinct functions and specialization.
PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS: The brain is well-protected within the skull,
which acts as a physical barrier against injury. Additionally, the cerebrospinal fluid
helps cushion and support the brain. The blood-brain barrier serves as a selective filter
that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain.

MAIN PARTS & SUB PARTS OF THE BRAIN AND

THEIR FUNCTIONS
At a high level, the brain can be divided into the
cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum.

1.CEREBRUM:
The cerebrum is the largest and most highly developed
part of the human brain, making up about 85% of the brain's total mass. It is located at
the top and front of the brain and is responsible for many of the brain's most advanced
functions.

STRUCTURE:
The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres: the left
hemisphere and the right hemisphere. These hemispheres
are connected by a bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus
callosum, which allows them to communicate and work
together.Each hemisphere of the cerebrum is further divided
into four lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital
lobes).

FRONTAL LOBE: Responsible for decision-making,

problem-solving, planning, personality, and voluntary
muscle movements.
PARIETAL LOBE: Processes sensory information,
including touch, temperature, and pain. It's also involved in spatial awareness.
TEMPORAL LOBE: Involved in auditory processing, language comprehension, and
memory.
OCCIPITAL LOBE: Primarily responsible for processing visual information.

2.CEREBELLUM:
BRAINSTEM:
The brainstem (middle of brain) connects the cerebrum with
the spinal cord. It regulates essential functions like breathing,
heart rate, and sleep cycles. The brainstem includes the
Midbrain, the Pons and the Medulla.

MEDULLA OBLONGATA: At the bottom of the

brainstem, the medulla is where the brain meets the spinal
cord. The medulla is essential to survival. Functions of the
medulla regulate many bodily activities, including heart
rhythm, breathing, blood flow, and oxygen and carbon
dioxide levels. The medulla produces reflexive activities
such as sneezing, vomiting, coughing and swallowing.

PONS: The pons is the origin for four of the 12 cranial nerves, which enable a range
of activities such as tear production, chewing, blinking, focusing vision, balance,
hearing and facial expression.The pons is the connection between the midbrain and
the medulla.

MIDBRAIN: The midbrain is a very complex structure with a range of different

neuron clusters (nuclei and colliculi), neural pathways and other structures.It plays a
role in motor control, particularly eye movements, and contains structures important
for visual and auditory processing.
3.LIMBIC SYSTEM:

AMYGDALA: Involved in processing emotions, especially fear and aggression.

HIPPOCAMPUS: Critical for the formation and consolidation of new memories.

CINGULATE GYRUS: Plays a role in regulating emotions and pain perception.

PITUITARY GLAND
Sometimes called the “master gland,” the pituitary gland is a pea-sized structure
found deep in the brain behind the bridge of the nose. The pituitary gland governs the
function of other glands in the body, regulating the flow of hormones from the thyroid,
adrenals, ovaries etc.

THALAMUS: Acts as a sensory relay station, transmitting sensory information to the

appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex for processing.

HYPOTHALAMUS: Regulates various bodily functions, including hunger, thirst,

body temperature, and controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland. It
also plays a role in the body's circadian rhythms and the stress response.

4.MENINGES:
Three layers of protective
covering called meninges
surround the brain and the spinal
cord.
THE OUTERMOST LAYER,
THE DURA MATER: is thick
and tough. It includes two layers:
The periosteal layer of the dura
mater lines the inner dome of the
skull (cranium) and the meningeal
layer is below that.
THE ARACHNOID MATER:is
a thin, web-like layer of
connective tissue that does not contain nerves or blood vessels.
THE PIA MATER: is a thin membrane that hugs the surface of the brain and follows
its contours. The pia mater is rich with veins and arteries.

5.IN CONCLUSION:
To sum it up, the brain is the most important and complicated organ in our body. It's
like the control center for our thoughts, intelligence, and ability to adapt to new things.
Its complex structure and ability to handle our senses, emotions, and thinking make it
the core of our existence. Learning more about how the brain works is crucial for
understanding human behavior, health, and well-being. It shows how vital the brain is
in our lives .

REFERENCES:

 https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-
diseases/anatomy-of-the-brain
 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23083-cerebrum
 https://www.ninds.nih.gov/
 https://kidshealth.org/en/teens.html/.

----------THE END---------
ASSIGNMENT 1: DETAILED FUNCTIONING OF BRAIN

SUBMITTED BY:

AMNA NASEER

ENROLLMENT NUMBER:

004-A

COURSE TITLE:

INTRO TO BRAIN &BEHAVIOR

COURSE INSTRUCTOR:

MA’AM SHARON ELIJAH

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

OCTOBER 19, 2023