2. Brain BasicsBrain Basics
OverviewOverview
Brain Facts DiscussionBrain Facts Discussion
Parts of the BrainParts of the Brain
FunctionsFunctions
Brain Misconceptions DiscussionBrain Misconceptions Discussion
3. BrainBrain
Brain veins : 1 L miles ( 4 rounds of earth )Brain veins : 1 L miles ( 4 rounds of earth )
Brain : 78% waterBrain : 78% water
63k thoughts per day63k thoughts per day
15-20% blood supply is made to brain even15-20% blood supply is made to brain even
though it is weighing only 2.5% of the totalthough it is weighing only 2.5% of the total
wt.wt.
Requires oxygen, glucose in great quantities.Requires oxygen, glucose in great quantities.
No oxygen for 10 secs, unconscious.No oxygen for 10 secs, unconscious.
No oxygen for 30 secs, permanent damage .No oxygen for 30 secs, permanent damage .
More than 30 secs, dead…More than 30 secs, dead…
4. Brain FactsBrain Facts
New born av wt 360 gms ( girl)/ 380 gms ( boy)New born av wt 360 gms ( girl)/ 380 gms ( boy)
After 1 yr, Girl 940 gms / Boy 970 gmsAfter 1 yr, Girl 940 gms / Boy 970 gms
Age 12, Girl , 1260 gms / Boy 1440 gmsAge 12, Girl , 1260 gms / Boy 1440 gms
Age 60, Woman 1250 gms / Man 1370 gmsAge 60, Woman 1250 gms / Man 1370 gms
Age 80, Woman 1170 gms / Man 1310 gmsAge 80, Woman 1170 gms / Man 1310 gms
Brain has 10000 crs neurons.Brain has 10000 crs neurons.
1 neuron/sec calculation speed will take 3171 yrs.1 neuron/sec calculation speed will take 3171 yrs.
Neurons if arrange linearly, 1000 kms.Neurons if arrange linearly, 1000 kms.
Neuron width 10 microns ( full stop is 500 microns)Neuron width 10 microns ( full stop is 500 microns)
5. Brain LobesBrain Lobes
TheThe Cerebral CortexCerebral Cortex (wrinkled(wrinkled
outside part of the brain) isoutside part of the brain) is
arbitrarily divided into 4arbitrarily divided into 4
lobeslobes based upon the thingsbased upon the things
that scientists think they do.that scientists think they do.
TheThe occipital lobeoccipital lobe processesprocesses
the visual information fromthe visual information from
your eyes.your eyes.
TheThe frontal lobefrontal lobe makes high-makes high-
level decisions, planslevel decisions, plans
movements, coordinatesmovements, coordinates
speech.speech.
6. Brain LobesBrain Lobes
TheThe parietal lobeparietal lobe
processes your sense ofprocesses your sense of
touch.touch.
TheThe temporal lobetemporal lobe helpshelps
identify things (whatidentify things (what
things are), helps youthings are), helps you
remember things, andremember things, and
processes soundsprocesses sounds
(hearing)(hearing)
7. Other Brain PartsOther Brain Parts
TheThe CerebellumCerebellum has ashas as
many neurons as themany neurons as the
entire cerebral cortex!entire cerebral cortex!
Its main role is toIts main role is to
coordinate movements.coordinate movements.
TheThe BrainstemBrainstem controlscontrols
the body processes thatthe body processes that
you don’t have to thinkyou don’t have to think
about (like your heartabout (like your heart
beat,sleep )beat,sleep )
8. Brain MisconceptionsBrain Misconceptions
10%10%
Do people only use 10% of their brain?Do people only use 10% of their brain?
No.No.
Different parts of your brain do differentDifferent parts of your brain do different
things. So not all of your brain needs to bethings. So not all of your brain needs to be
doing something all of the time.doing something all of the time.
9. Brain MisconceptionsBrain Misconceptions
WrinklesWrinkles
Why are there wrinkles in the brain? Do more wrinklesWhy are there wrinkles in the brain? Do more wrinkles
appear when you learn something new?appear when you learn something new?
No.No.
Your cerebral cortex is essentially a flat sheet (like aYour cerebral cortex is essentially a flat sheet (like a
large sheet of paper) that it has to fit in your skulllarge sheet of paper) that it has to fit in your skull
(which is like a cup)… A crumpled up sheet of paper(which is like a cup)… A crumpled up sheet of paper
fits in a cup easier than an unfolded one.fits in a cup easier than an unfolded one.
10. Brain MisconceptionsBrain Misconceptions
Gender and Brain SizeGender and Brain Size
Do boys have bigger brains and are they smarter thanDo boys have bigger brains and are they smarter than
girls or the opposite?girls or the opposite?
(1) Men on average actually do have larger brains(1) Men on average actually do have larger brains
than women (just like they have bigger bodies onthan women (just like they have bigger bodies on
average). But, elephants have much bigger brainsaverage). But, elephants have much bigger brains
than humans (4 times as heavy) and cats are about 45than humans (4 times as heavy) and cats are about 45
times smaller.times smaller.
(2)(2) A bigger brain does not mean you are smarter.A bigger brain does not mean you are smarter.
Men and women have the same intelligence level onMen and women have the same intelligence level on
average (although there is some evidence that eachaverage (although there is some evidence that each
may be slightly better at specific tasks).may be slightly better at specific tasks).
11. Brain MisconceptionsBrain Misconceptions
Computers (1)Computers (1)
Is the brain like the CPU of a computer?Is the brain like the CPU of a computer?
Not really.Not really.
Computers are made of metal and use electricity toComputers are made of metal and use electricity to
process information. Brains are made of organic cellsprocess information. Brains are made of organic cells
and use a mix of electrical signals and chemicals toand use a mix of electrical signals and chemicals to
process information.process information.
If one part of a computer breaks it can do almostIf one part of a computer breaks it can do almost
nothing. If one part of your brain gets damaged onlynothing. If one part of your brain gets damaged only
certain things are hard to do and it can sometimescertain things are hard to do and it can sometimes
gradually repair itself.gradually repair itself.
12. Brain MisconceptionsBrain Misconceptions
Computers (2)Computers (2)
Are humans smarter than computers or computersAre humans smarter than computers or computers
smarter than people?smarter than people?
Neither, they work in different ways.Neither, they work in different ways.
Computers are currently allComputers are currently all programmed to do aprogrammed to do a
specific task by peoplespecific task by people who give them specificwho give them specific
instructions about how to do it.instructions about how to do it.
Currently, computers are not able to do things theyCurrently, computers are not able to do things they
are not specifically told, how to do.are not specifically told, how to do.
Humans, however, areHumans, however, are very good at figuring outvery good at figuring out
creative ways to do things on their own.creative ways to do things on their own.