The brain is the most complex organ in the human body.It is responsible for the daily performance and regulation of bodily functions, but also for our thoughts, feelings, and even our perception of reality.The brain is very complex, and so studying it can be very challenging.You can begin to understand the brain by looking at the processes that make it work, as well as the anatomy.
Step 1: The first thing you should do is look at the cerebral cortex and the cerebrum.
The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the human brain and it makes up 85% of its weight.The first part of the brain you study should be the cerebrum.Speech and decision-making are all done in the cerebral cortex.It is the most important part of the human brain.The cerebral cortex is divided into 4 parts, the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres, the left and the right.The activity on the different sides of your body correspond to the hemispheres.
Step 2: The cerebrum has other structures.
The cerebral cortex gets most of the attention, but there are other subcortical structures in the cerebrum that you need to know about.The cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, and other structures need to be studied.The hypothalamus regulates the bodily functions that occur automatically, such as feeling hungry or sleepy, as well as regulating your body temperature and blood pressure.Smaller structures help coordinate fine motor movements, like the movement of your fingertips.This part of the brain includes the thalamus.
Step 3: The brainstem has many functions.
Your cerebrum and spine are connected by the brainstem.It plays an important role in controlling the heart, breathing, and consciousness.The signals between your brain and the rest of your body are carried by the brainstem.It helps turn thoughts in your cerebral cortex into bodily actions.Some of the cranial nerves are supplied by the brainstem.
Step 4: Understand how the cerebellum works.
The cerebellum is an important part of your body's movement.It helps you maintain your balance and posture.The cerebellum is located at the base of the skull, which makes it easy to remember where you are.There is no consensus among neuroscientists on whether the cerebellum plays a role in emotional sensitivity.
Step 5: Grey and white matter is what you should be familiar with.
Grey matter and white matter are two of the main tissues in the brain.You can learn the different ways these two tissue types function by studying the brain.White matter is more involved in analyzing information than grey matter.Grey matter contains more cell bodies than white matter.As humans age, the grey matter to white matter ratio in the brain changes.
Step 6: Study how the brain works.
The main type of cell in the brain is the neuron.They are the building block of all neurological processes.You need to know how these cells are structured and how they work inside the brain.The cell body, axon, and dendrites are the main parts of the neuron.The cell body sends signals down the axon to the dendrites.
Step 7: Understand how the brain processes information
The brain makes sense of all the information our eyes, ears, and other sensory organs take in.The brain turns sensory input into knowledge through different pathways.The visual and auditory stimuli travel into the brain through the occipital and temporal lobes.Information enters the brain through the spine.Half of the sensory input your brain receives is processed by each hemisphere of your cerebral cortex.The right and left hemispheres process information from the same side of the body.
Step 8: The central and peripheral nervous systems are different.
There are two parts to your nervous system, the central Nervous System and the peripheral nervous System.To get a better sense of how the brain interacts with the body, study the differences between these two components.The brain and the spine make up the central nervous system.The peripheral nervous system is made up of all the nerves in the body outside the brain and spine.The main function of the PNS is to relay commands from the brain back to the body.
Step 9: Know what causes mental disorders.
Knowing how the brain works and how it can go wrong is part of studying it.If you know how brain defects can lead to mental disorders, you can better understand the relationship between the brain and the mind.Many scientists believe that mental illnesses are caused by communication errors in the brain.The development of medications that manipulate how neurons function in order to treat mental illness was the result of these conclusions.If you study the causes of mental disorders, you will be able to see how different parts of the brain work together.
Step 10: The brain has an influence on personality.
While studying the brain, you are also looking into the physical basis of our mental selves.To get a better sense of how the brain is connected to who we are as individuals, study up on research into how brain shapes personality.Researchers have found a correlation between the thickness of the cerebral cortex and high levels of neuroticism, which can lead to a range of disorders.Questions about the brain's impact on personality will encourage you to think more about nature versus nurture and may even change your mind about what you believe impacts people the most!
Step 11: You can register for a college course on brain science.
If you are going to attend college, you may want to take the time to learn about the brain in a classroom.If you want to study the brain in detail, sign up for a brain science course.Behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience and neurobiology are some of the courses you can take on the brain.Neuroscience is a major you should look into if you enjoy the course you sign up for.
Step 12: If you want to go to medical school, consider applying.
If you want to make a career out of studying the brain, you should consider becoming a neurosurgeon.To be on the cutting edge of brain research, apply to study the brain in medical school.Medical students study the brain through lectures, where information is presented and memorised, as well as in labs where they study their physical properties.Like many other biological sciences, studying the brain at this level requires a lot of memorization in order to be successful.
Step 13: There is a free course on the brain.
Enroll in a free online course to study neuroscience without the cost or stress of higher education if you are not in college or only interested in the brain.The Open Education Consortium can be used to find free online university classes.You can study the brain at a college level on a casual basis.