Parts of the brain

To effectively understand learning techniques, it is essential to know our brain. This is one of the most complex organs in the human body, to the point that it takes much longer than others to develop. The brain is present in almost every animal, not only in humans, however its structure and development is far from ours, which had to evolve over millions of years to reach its current state of complexity.

Knowing the evolutionary process of our brain was not an easy task; we must take into account that this organ is composed of soft tissue, so it is susceptible to the passage of time because instead of fossilizing like bones, it rots and eventually disappears without leaving useful traces for science.

In this lesson we invite you to learn the details of the evolutionary process of the brain and how it was possible to study it.

Paleoneurology

Paleoneurology is the science dedicated to the study of the brain, focusing specifically on the analysis of its structure in past centuries. This determined that in order to know the degree of evolution of a brain, one should pay attention to its cranial capacity, which is nothing more than the amount of brain volume that the subject in question possessed. Questions like this, the level of blood irrigation and the morphology of the brain, allowed us to know the most advanced species of millions of years ago.

Ardipithecus ramidus

One of the most remote ancestors known is the Ardipithecus ramidus, a being with marked ape-like features and a skull similar in size to that of this animal. The figures show that while the size of the cranial cavity of chimpanzees is 280-500 cubic centimeters, that of the Ardipithecus was 350.

In spite of its precarious development, we find traits that highlight signs of evolution, since this species lived collectively and was bipedal.

Australopithecus afarensis

This species, although more advanced than the previous one, had very primitive features. Its cranial capacity did not exceed 500 cubic centimeters, which, as explained above, is in the range of chimpanzees. Even so, there is evidence of a certain degree of complexity in relation to its ancestor, since it had air cavities whose function was to protect the encephalon.

As expected, its cognitive capacities were very limited, as were its abilities to reason, remember, communicate, plan, etc.

Homo habilis

More information is available on this species than on its predecessors. Their cranial capacity of up to 640 cubic centimeters allowed them to develop more complex skills, which was reflected in the activities they performed, such as the construction of rudimentary work tools. This is important, since behind a creation, however simple and basic it may be, there is a process of analysis, planning and coordination, which in homo habilis constituted signs of evolution.

Homo erectus

Homo erectus was an advanced species, mastered fire and used it to their advantage; they also carried out survival activities, such as hunting, in groups. They possessed a more developed frontal lobe, as well as occipital, temporal and parietal lobes. Their cranial capacity ranged between 800-1000 cubic centimeters.

Homo neanderthalensis

The Neanderthals were a fairly advanced species. We have much more information about this one because it is more relatively contemporary than the rest, in fact there is evidence that they coexisted with our species for centuries. Their cranial capacity was up to 1900 cubic centimeters, which allowed them to develop a more complex language for communication.

Homo sapiens

Finally we arrive at our species, centuries of evolution allowed man to develop his biological traits and his cognitive and communicative abilities at the same time. Art was an important step forward for homo sapiens, since previously there was no data on this manifestation.

We also developed more advanced cognitive functions that allowed us to reason and abstract. The cranial capacity of homo sapiens ranges from 1300 to 1800 cubic centimeters.

Parts of the brain

If we want to master study techniques, it is necessary to know our brain. It is not for nothing that we present you a complete topic dedicated to this organ. Undoubtedly, every part of our body is important, because the organism functions as a whole; but the brain is essential to perform almost any activity. In this lesson, we will teach you, in a basic and easy to understand way, the parts of the brain, so you will know which area is responsible for movements, emotions, memory, etc.

Central Nervous System

The spinal cord and the brain make up the central nervous system. The encephalon is divided into three fundamental zones for its study: cerebellum, brain stem and cerebrum. Breathing and heart rate depend on the brainstem, movement and balance on the cerebellum and the regulation of more advanced functions on the cerebrum.

Hemispheres of the brain

You have probably heard of the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Curiously, these do not regulate the functions of the part of the body to which their names allude, but have an inverted relationship, since the left hemisphere coordinates the right part of our body and the same happens with the other.

The functions performed by the hemispheres are not rigid, as they may vary from one individual to another, however in most cases we can observe the following distinctions: the left hemisphere is responsible for reasoning, speech and the development of technical skills, while the right hemisphere determines the development of artistic skills and influences the imagination.

Lobes of the brain

You already know the hemispheres; each of these is divided into lobes with specific functions:

Frontal lobe: This is located behind the forehead providing protection to the brain. Its functions correspond to problem solving, reasoning, logic and planning.

Occipital lobe: This is located at the back of the head. It first receives visual information.

Parietal lobe: This lobe is located between the two previous lobes. It processes sensory and visual information received from the occipital lobe. It also controls movements.

Temporal lobe: These lobes are located at the sides of the brain. Their functions are linked to speech, memory and hearing.

Telencephalon and Diencephalon

The telencephalon is composed of structures such as: limbic system, hippocampus, basal ganglia and cerebral cortex. It occupies the largest part of the brain.

Basal ganglia: They are responsible for coordinating movement. They process the information received from the brainstem and the cerebral cortex in a fast way to give rise to the execution of complex and simultaneous movements such as jumping and shouting, laughing and clapping, speaking and writing, among many others.

Limbic system: This is responsible for what we commonly call human instincts, such as fear.

Hippocampus: This is located in the cerebral cortex and its function is related to the formation and development of long-term memory. It has an important impact on learning.

Cerebral cortex: The cortex is identifiable by everyone when we imagine a brain; and it is precisely that layer of folds that we observe in the brain. The folds or roughness are nothing more than a layer of neuronal tissue, and these are called sulci. There is no single pattern for these folds, but their variations from individual to individual are not so great.

The diencephalon is located in the central part of the brain and its functions are diverse and important: it regulates sensations such as hunger or thirst; it determines the development of basic functions such as sleep; it coordinates emotions and transmits sensory information from the senses to other areas of the brain.