2. The brain uses 20 – 30% of all the blood and oxygen
that the body uses.
Every brain cell makes connections with around
10 000 other brain cells.
The average brain weighs 1.4kg and is around 15cm long.
Brain Facts
The brain contains cells, called neurons, that send messages. There are 100 billion
neurons in the human brain, which is about the same number of stars estimated
to be in the Milky Way galaxy.
Scientists are constantly working to understand the brain better and we still
don’t fully understand everything about it!
3. The right side of the
brain is also responsible
for creativity, the arts,
music and imagination.
This is why left-handed
people are often more
creative.
The right side of the
brain controls the left
side of the body.
The left side of the brain
is also used for logical
and academic areas,
such as maths,
language, science and
problem-solving. You’ll
find more right-handed
people working in these areas.
The left side of the brain
controls the right side of
the body.
The Hemispheres
4. Three Main Areas
The brain stem is the part of the brain which is linked, by the spinal cord,
to the rest of the body. A little like a superhighway, it is responsible for all
the unconscious activities, such as breathing.
The smaller and back
part of the brain is called
the cerebellum and is
mainly responsible for
motor control (your
movements) and balance.
The cerebrum is responsible for the senses, thinking and memory.
The front and larger part
of the brain is called the
cerebrum and a human
cerebrum is the largest of
all animals.
5. The Cerebrum Lobes
Each of the different lobes perform
different functions and are linked to different senses.
The Frontal Lobe
The Temporal Lobe The Occipital Lobe
The Parietal Lobe
The cerebrum is split into different areas called ‘lobes’.
6. It also controls your language and memory.
This area of the brain is where your spontaneity,
judgement and impulse comes from.
The frontal lobe (lobus frontalis) is the control panel
for your personality and the way you
communicate.
The Frontal Lobe
This is where you do your problem-solving and conscious motor control
(movements).
7. It is also responsible for object recognition.
This part of the brain is where you process things
you hear, into things that make sense, including
language.
The temporal lobe (lobus temporalis) is located at either
side of the brain and is linked closely to your hearing
(it’s close to the ears after all).
The Temporal Lobe
The temporal lobe is also where long-term memories are processed.
8. The part is also responsible for your spatial awareness
and navigational skills (proprioception).
This is also the place for visual interpretation and
the processing of language and maths.
The parietal lobe (lubus parietalis) is all about the
senses and interpreting things.
The Parietal Lobe
The sense of touch is processed here, including being able to recognise a word
someone is ‘writing’ on your skin through the sense of touch.
9. ‘Occipital’ is Latin for ‘back of the head’.
Different areas of the occipital lobe look after spatial
perception, colour and movement.
The occipital lobe (lubus occipitalis) is all about visual
processing and it gets its information from the eyes.
The Occipital Lobe
10. The Language and Reading Area
This is because there are so many different skills involved in both these things.
Think how long it took you to learn to read and write!
There are a few different lobes that are involved in language and reading..
11. The Cerebellum
This part of the brain helps your motor skills (some movements) by controlling
coordination, balance and timing.
The cerebellum is the Latin word meaning ‘little brain’.
12. The Brain Stem
The brain stem (medulla spinalis) is the central part of the brain (like the apple
core) and goes to form the spinal cord.
It is made up of three different parts: the medulla oblongata, the pons and the
midbrain.
The brain stem does three jobs:
1. It links the cerebrum to the
cerebellum.
2. It’s in control of the nerves
going to the face and neck.
3. It’s in charge of all the things
you are not doing on purpose,
such as breathing, your sleep
cycle and circulating blood.
Click here to look inside
13. The brain and the spinal cord together form the central
nervous system.
It runs from the brain to the bottom of your spine
and is protected by the spinal column.
The spinal cord (truncus encephali) is the information
superhighway of the nerves, connecting the brain to
the rest of the body.
The Spinal Cord
In adults, it is around 44cm long and can range from 6.4mm – 13mm wide at
different points along the way.
