The human brain even today remains a real mystery to researchers. However, they have already managed to find out a lot. So, by what “wires” does the brain receive messages, and what is its work based on?
The principle of the human brain
The brain of a mature person weighs about one and a half kilograms, where about a hundred billion active cells "fit". Most cells are neurons that serve as vehicles for nerve impulses.
How does the brain work? The principle of its activity can be conditionally compared with the operation of an electric switch. Neurons can be both in the “off” and “on” state when electrical impulses are transmitted along the corresponding conductive paths.
Neurons are formed in the form of a cell body and axons transmitting nerve impulses. In turn, neural axons are interconnected by synapses, due to which information is transferred between individual neurons.
The role of chemicals in brain activity
Human brain features suggest the activity of specific chemical constituents known as neurotransmitters. The presence of substances such as dopamine or adrenaline helps activate one or another of its functions. Moreover, various departments, as well as their neurons, “use” different chemical components in their work.
Due to the chemical activity of the brain, its neurons are able to reproduce an electric charge, the power of which as a whole can reach about 60 watts. Brain activity based on electrical activity can be measured using specialized equipment.
What kind of “wires” does the brain receive messages?
The main conductor for transmitting information to neurons through nerve synapses is the spinal cord. You can compare the pathways of the spinal cord with a multi-core telephone cable. Damage to such a “cable” can lead to a person losing control of both individual limbs and the body as a whole. It is through electrical impulses that brain commands are transmitted to the body.
Bypassing the synapses of the spinal cord, information is transmitted directly to the brain only from the auditory and visual receptors. That is why, with paralysis of the whole body, a person retains the ability to hear and see.
In general, brain activity is due to the functioning of gray matter, which is located on its surface and forms the cerebral cortex. A special role in the work of the brain is played by white matter, which consists almost entirely of axon-conducting impulses.
Brain: structure and functions
The human brain is formed of two hemispheres - the left and right, which are responsible for the performance of individual functions. So, the right hemisphere of the human brain allows you to group incoming information. In turn, the left hemisphere is mainly responsible for the analysis of "incoming" data. For example, the right hemisphere identifies an object, and the left determines its features, qualities, characteristics, etc.
What kind of “wires” does the brain receive messages? According to researchers, receiving electrical impulses, the right hemisphere of the brain perceives mainly abstract things and concepts, analyzes shape and color. At the same time, the left hemisphere reserves mathematical abilities, speech and logic. From year to year, scientists find such new specific confirmation of the functions of the human brain and its differentiation.
Myths about the human brain
Today, it is widely believed that modern man is able to use no more than 10% of his own brain. Despite numerous disputes surrounding this issue, there is a whole host of evidence that a person uses the full potential of the brain. According to researchers, even performing fairly simple tasks needs to activate almost all areas of the brain.
It is also a mistake to believe that blind people have better hearing, compared to sighted people. However, the blind can boast of a more developed auditory memory. Such people quickly identify the sources of sounds, and also more actively grasp the meaning of foreign speech.
The size of the brain absolutely does not affect intellectual abilities. The determining factor in the development of intelligence is only the number of nerve connections between individual neurons.
Interesting facts about the brain
It’s hard for a person to tickle himself. It’s all about the mood of the brain for the perception of stimuli from the outside world, which allows us to extract signals that are really important for the body from an extensive stream of sensations. After all, the cause of most of them is the unconscious actions of the person himself.
Yawning is not just a conditioned reflex when moving away from sleep, but also allows the brain to quickly become active due to its active oxygenation.
Computer games give the brain rest and relaxation due to distraction from everyday tasks, and also teach the simultaneous performance of several things at the same time. Moreover, the best brain training in this case are active games, such as action games and shooters, when a player has to repel the attacks of a whole group of enemies that come from different sides in a limited space. Participation in such virtual entertainments allows a person to react with lightning speed to a rapid change in situation and to disperse attention.
Exercise helps keep your brain fit. Regular physical activity affects the growth of the number of capillaries in the brain, which makes it possible to better saturate it with
nutrients and oxygen.
A simple song without a complex musical structure and a special semantic load is much more difficult to forget compared to truly “intellectual” works. The reason lies in the brain’s ability to build automatic, familiar action algorithms where similar tunes can be embedded.
Finally
The human brain is an extremely complex structure, which includes a whole host of functional departments, the work of which is based on the activation and attenuation of billions of neurons.
What kind of “wires” does the brain receive messages? The role of such pathways is performed by neural connections. Each neuron acts like a microscopic electric switch, the inclusion of which activates the transmission of nerve impulses to the desired parts of the brain. The information coming from the outside world is ultimately transmitted to the cerebral hemispheres, where its final analysis and processing takes place.