LEARNING AND THE BRAIN

Learning and the Brain

Learning and the Brain

PART 1: Physiology and Function of the Brain

The human brain can come up with a record-breaking numbers: It has about 100 billion nerve cells or neurons. Although it makes up only about three percent of body weight, there are enormous amounts of energy. In fact, the brain requires about 15 percent of the total energy of the body to function properly. It is incredible that a large 1400 to 1600 cc and about 1.4 to 1.6 kg heavy, made ??of relatively soft, gray and white substances existing body in which all the material and immaterial mind rests (Shepherd, 2004).

Although the brain accounts for only 2% of body weight, metabolic activity is so high that consumes 20% of oxygen. The brain is one of the most active organs of the body. It consumes a large amount of glucose alone to ATP to manufacture and replaces its proteins every 3 weeks. About 20% of the blood pumped by the heart goes to the brain. If this supply of oxygen-saturated blood stops only for ten seconds, a person can lose consciousness, a lack of oxygen beyond this period can lead to death (Shepherd, 2004).

Basic Structure of the Human Brain

The brain floats to protect against outside influences in the so-called cerebrospinal fluid. In the brain, are also listed by fluid-filled cavities known as ventricles with about 130 ml volume. Others take waste to the brain. In addition, enclose the brain 3 layers of protective membranes that envelop the spinal cord of the central nervous system. The brain itself contains approximately 10 to 10 people in nerve cells, which in turn owns all of the connections to about 8 to 10 thousand other neurons. This is an incredibly high number of connections of neurons with each other. Amazingly, however, that the brain is to operate its functions requires only the extremely low energy of about 15 to 20 watts. This is the power of a small light bulb (Shepherd, 2004).

Brain Stem

One is above the brain stem extending network range in addition to sleeping and waking, and the attention of responsible management. Here at the brain stem to start most of the 12 cranial nerves pairs such as optic nerve, olfactory nerve, facial nerve, hearing and balance nerve, Drilling nerve with optic nerve, eye movement and Roll nerve, upper and lower jaw, nerve, tongue and pharyngeal nerve, tongue muscle nerve, visceral nerve and leg nerve.

Medulla Oblongata

In the medulla oblongata, which acts as an interface between the brain stem and spinal cord, are the nerves of the so-called pyramid train. These vital processes such as breathing, heartbeat and metabolism, along with the reflections like. For example, swallowing, coughing, vomiting, etc. controlled (Danziger, 2008).

The Cerebellum

The cerebellum is exactly like the cerebrum of two parts and is the center of the motor body. This is a hand to the cerebrum via the bridge to be supplied from there to control impulses for conscious controlled ...