The human body: Most of the time, we just don’t think about it, but the human body is complex and amazing. Some things are downright strange.
Check out these facts about the human brain – one of the most powerful organs of the body. Which ones did you know?
* ALL of our senses (hearing, sight, smell, touch, etc.) are tied into our brain, which is how we experience the outside world.
* The human brain is like a powerful computer, controlling our thoughts, movements, memories and decisions. It allows us to think, store memories, analyse and make judgments. At the same time, it controls other areas automatically, such as breathing.
* Together, the brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The brain connects to nerves that travel throughout the body. It receives signals, telling us what is happening in the outside world, and sends signals to muscles, to make the body move.
* Your brain is made up of five different parts, each part playing its own role.
* The Pituitary Gland, for example, is only the size of a pea, yet it controls your growth by releasing special hormones. Later on, it will release more hormones that will cause all sorts of changes to your body. It’s part of growing up.
* Your cerebrum is split into two sections: the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. The two are connected by tiny little fibres called corpus callosum which help to send signals between the two sides.
* The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body!
* Humans have big brains! The human brain is over three times as big as the brain of other mammals that are of similar body size.
* The brain is grey and wrinkly, and is made up of 60% fat.
* The soft brain is suspended in a fluid, and packed into a hard skull. The fluid is called “cerebrospinal fluid”. That helps to protect it from impacts when we move around, and acts as a barrier to keep infections out.
* The hard skull, also called the cranium, is the protective outer case. It’s made up of 22 bones joined together!
* The brain needs lots of energy. It uses around 20 per cent of the body’s energy.
* Exercise and play, reading, puzzles, eating healthy, and getting a good night’s sleep are all good for the brain.
