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The division of labor in the brain: What roles do each region play in the body?
The brain is the center of the nervous system of all vertebrates and most invertebrates, and is responsible for receiving and processing information and controlling movement. The brains of various animals vary significantly in shape, size, and function, making their structure and function quite interesting to study.
The brain, known as a "biological computer," collects, stores, and processes information about the world around it in a way that is completely different from that of a digital computer.
Basic structure and division of labor of the brain
The vertebrate brain can be divided into three main parts during embryonic development: the forebrain (prosencephalon), the midbrain (mesencephalon), and the hindbrain (rhombencephalon). Each of these parts can be further subdivided to form the various brain structures we are familiar with.
The forebrain is the most developed part, responsible for advanced cognitive functions and emotional processing, while the hindbrain controls many basic life activities, such as breathing and heartbeat. The midbrain plays a mediating role in the integration and response of information.
Modern neuroscience's view of the brain is that various areas of the brain are coordinated in working together, and their functions are not single, but rather they are interconnected and interdependent to construct complex behaviors.
Neurons and their functions
The basic unit of the brain is the neuron, which is the cell responsible for receiving and transmitting nerve signals. The number of neurons in the human brain is between 14 and 16 billion, which makes the brain's calculations and information processing extremely efficient.
Neurons are connected to each other through synapses, a magical connection that forms the brain's communication network. Each neuron can be connected to thousands of other neurons, allowing information to flow quickly between different areas of the brain.
Evolution and Comparison
Compared with other animals, the human brain is undoubtedly one of the most complex. From the evolution of early vertebrates to modern mammals, the brain has undergone significant improvements in structure and function. There is a close correlation between brain size and behavioral complexity, with small animals typically having relatively large brains.
"In mammals, the forebrain is particularly developed because it is responsible for unifying multiple functions such as thinking, memory and consciousness."
The Secret of Cell Structure
The brain is composed of two main types of cells: neurons and glial cells. Glial cells provide structural support and protection. The vertebrate brain has about 100 trillion synapses, which are the core of neural information transmission and storage.
Every time a neuron fires, that information is transmitted to neighboring neurons via chemical signals across the synapse, which is the basis for the nervous system's rapid response.
Future directions of brain research
Although we have a preliminary understanding of how the brain works, there are still many mysteries to be solved. How to capture the overall collaborative mode in extremely complex neural networks is a major challenge currently facing scientists.
As technology advances, we will hopefully gain deeper insights into how the brain works and further understand the role it plays in various systems in the human body.
The brain is undoubtedly the center of our thinking, perception of the world, and behavioral decision-making. How does its work affect our daily lives and physiological functions? Is this a question worth pondering for each of us?
