Essay On Brain Capacity

Do we really use only 10% of our brain capacity to function in everyday life? It really depends on self opinion. Some of us may think we use more of our brain when we are working and some of us may think that when we are relaxing our brains are relaxing as well. There is no scientific theory behind how much we use of our brain. Most of us use our brains daily, to think, to react, to sense feelings, etc. You may be surprised on how much we use our brains each day. Its always active, axons are always transmitting signals toward the target of communication. Our brain contains different parts like the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, somatic nervous system, autonomic nervous system, sympathetic nervous system, and parasympathetic nervous system. The central nervous system is the largest part of the nervous system, it includes the spinal cord and the brain. Peripheral nervous system is the nervous system that serves the limbs and organs. Somatic nervous system is the part of the peripheral system that picks up stimuli from the outside world, coordinates movements, and performs other consciously controlled tasks. Autonomic nervous system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that performs tasks that are not consciously controlled. Sympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system that is always active and acts as an accelerator for organs. Parasympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for functions that do not require immediate action and acts as a brake for organs. An example from the book says imagine having a prosthetic leg and taking a walk on the beach. How would the experience seem different if you could not feel warm sand between your toes or cool water and seaweed touching your skin? Researchers and scientists have created TMR (targeted muscle reinnervation) and TSR (targeted sensory reinnervation) with the power of the human brain for amputees to experience tactile sensations and allow prosthetic leg and arms user to mentally touch. TSR is rerouted to the skin of the patient’s chest. The patient could place an object against this area which could create a feeling that he/she is physically touching something with his/her hand. The technique has been refined over the years allowing patients to sense the difference between cold and hot, experience rough and smooth textures, and even feel sensations on individual fingers that correspond to different locations on their chest. The brain is also composed of three major characteristics, integration which the brains structures are constantly competing and cooperating. Sophistication, our brains are so complex of thought and behavior that even most high-tech computers are unable to keep up with it. Adaptability our brain is always working and constantly changing, the ability to control prosthetic limbs is an amazing illustration of the extent to which the brain can adapt and function fully under very unusual circumstances. Neurons are important to brain function as well, since they are excitable cells that receive different types of stimulation, the building blocks of the nervous system. Types on neurons consists of sensory neurons which carry information toward the central nervous system from the sensory organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin). Motor neurons which carry information away from the central nervous system in order to operate muscles and glands. Interneurons send information between sensory neurons and motor neurons. In order for us to survive, the brain is a very important organ. …show more content…
It controls the functions of the body, its also referred to as a muscle of thinking as the brain actually tells your muscles what to do, the brain also controls all of the bodily functions as well as our other organs. Our brain has three major characteristics; author Paul Maclean explains the brain is best understood by socio-cognitive context. The “triune brain” according to Maclean consists of the limbic system, neocortex, and the brainstem. Brainstem has two main functions, first it a channel for incoming sensory information and outgoing motor commands, much like the spinal cord. Second, the brainstem possesses integrative functions that are critical for cardiovascular system control, respiratory control, pain sensitivity control, alertness, and consciousness. The limbic system is responsible for a