Emily

Wiener

The Brain

What is the brain?

The brain is a bit like a computer for your body. Its the command
centre for your nervous system, which controls the other systems.
The brain controls all thoughts and movements. Your brain is
located in and protected by your skull. An average human brain
weighs around 1.5 kg. That makes it three times the size of the
brains of similar-sized mammals.

What are the main parts of the brain?

The cerebrum is the thinking section of the
brain. Its the biggest part of the brain - 85% of
the brain is the cerebrum. The cerebrum is
divided into two halves, and each half of the brain
controls the opposite side of your body.

The cerebrum contains the cerebral cortex, which
houses these important parts of your brain:

The prefrontal cortex, which helps you make decisions
The amygdala, which processes emotions
The hippocampus, which is in charge of memory

The cerebellum is in charge of movement, balance, and coordination. Its a relatively
small but very important part of your brain. It receives information from other parts of
your body, then figures out how you should move.

The brain stem connects to your spinal cord and controls involuntary muscles. This
means that its in charge of blinking, breathing, digestion, and anything else that you
dont have to think about to control.

The pituitary gland is in charge of your endocrine
system. This is a system that creates hormones that
control your growth and your metabolism. It also
decides when to start puberty. The pituitary gland is
only about the size of a pea.

Your hypothalamus is also in charge of many
hormones. It controls your body temperature, hunger
thirst, and sleep. A lot of hormones that influence
your mood are created by the hypothalamus.

Emily Wiener

How does the brain work with other organs?

Every single other part of your body depends on the brain. Your brain tells your heart to
beat, your lungs to draw in and expel air, your muscles to move your body, and your
digestive system to process food. It also controls your emotions, memory, and behaviour.

Your brain communicates with the rest of your body through nerves, which are a bit like
wires that run through your body. Nerves carry messages between other parts of your
body and your brain.

Can the brain get hurt?

Brain injuries can be really serious. Here are some examples of brain injuries:

Concussions happen when you hit your head and your brain knocks against your skull.

A stroke is when the blood flow in your brain is
disrupted. Sometimes plaque builds up inside an artery
in your brain, and the blood cant get through. Other
times, an artery in your brain breaks open. Since your
brain needs blood to function, the part of your brain that
doesnt get enough blood is damaged.

There are many other disorders that can affect your
brain. The more common ones include brain tumours,
epilepsy, Huntingtons disease, meningitis, multiple
This diagram shows a brain that
sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, and traumatic brain
was damaged by a stroke
injuries.

How can you protect your brain?

Wear your seatbelt in the car.

Wear a helmet when you ride your bike or a horse, go skiing, or play sports like
hockey or football.
Eat well - a poor diet can lead to high blood pressure, a risk factor for strokes.
Keep using your brain so that youre less likely to lose your memory when youre
old. You can keep your brain active by reading or playing any kind of game where
you need to think.

References
kidshealth.org/en/kids/brain.html#
www.livescience.com/29365-human-brain.html
www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/humanbody/brain.html
webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/genpsycerebrum.html
biology.about.com/od/anatomy/p/cerebrum.htm
www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/cerebellum
www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/hypothalamus
www.cyh.com
brainfoundation.org.au/disorders
brainharmonycenter.com
www.heartandstroke.com/