What is the brain? The human brain is the main command center of the human nervous system. Enclosed in the cranium (the skull), The human brain monitors and regulates the body’s actions and reactions. It continuously receives sensory information, and rapidly analyzes this data and then responds accordingly by controlling bodily actions and functions. Different parts of the brain control various functions of the human body. The brain-stem controls automatic process of the body such as breathing and heart rate that are independent of conscious brain functions. The neocortex is the center of higher-order thinking, learning, and memory. The cerebellum is responsible for the body’s balance, posture, and the coordination of movement.
The human brain is similar to other mammal brains besides the fact that it is around three times larger than brains of other mammals of similar body sizes. The adult human brain weighs on average about 3 lb (1.5 kg) with a size (volume) of around 1130 cubic centimeters (cm3) in women and 1260 cm3 in men, although there is substantial individual variation. Men with the same body height and body surface area as women have on average 100g heavier brains.
The human brain is susceptible to a wide variety of degenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. A number of psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia and depression, are thought to be associated with brain dysfunctions, although the nature of such brain anomalies is not well understood.
