June 7, 2010
UNIT 9: Human BiologyBrain Science — We Are Wired to Learn!
A six-month-old child watches a television, while an electrode hat measures the child’s brain activity.
Your brain has more than 100 billion cells, called neurons. Together, the neurons in your brain are so powerful that they can process more information than the most powerful existing computer can in the same amount of time. Your brain can accomplish so much because you’ve spent years— every second of your life—learning from and interpreting the world around you.
Plasticity of the Brain
What factors affect the brain’s plasticity, or ability to learn new things? How does the brain change with age? These are some of the questions neuroscientists addressed in the early years of brain research.
During the first three years of life, the neurons in the brain rapidly form connections, or synapses, between each other. Neurons and synapses are overproduced in babies’ brains because their brains are taking in a lot of new information. At three years old, the brain begins to prune, or reduce the number of, these connections so that only the most used connections are intact. On average, three-year-olds have two times more synapses than adults have.
Of course, the brain does not lose all of its plasticity after the age of three. Even adults can learn a new skill, such as how to speak a foreign language. But neuroscientists have recently found a surprising second wave of brain growth and plasticity that begins just before puberty, similar to that observed in infants. Then, during the teenage years, some connections are pruned. The remaining connections become stronger and more efficient by the addition of more insulation around the neurons. This period of pruning and strengthening continues until a person is about 30. Connections that are used least are pruned away, and connections that are used the most are strengthened.
So how teenagers spend their time can affect their brain’s wiring. One researcher says, "If a teen is doing music or sports or academics, those are the cells and connections that will be hard-wired. If they’re lying on the couch or playing video games . . . those are the connections that are going to survive."
Although researchers agree that playing video games affects the brain, they do not agree on how the brain is affected. Some studies suggest that video games could strengthen beneficial connections. Other studies imply that some beneficial connections could become weakened.
The Multitasking Brain
How can some video games strengthen connections in your brain? Some video games present the player with complicated puzzles and patterns. The player must take in visual messages from the computer or television screen, while using problem-solving skills to analyze patterns at the same time. This multitasking requires the player to use different areas of the brain at the same time. Using language has a similar effect on the brain as playing video games in that both activate many areas of the brain at the same time.
When you have a conversation with a friend, many areas of the brain become active. When you hear what your friend says, the brain area above your ear becomes active, as shown in the larger image above. When you form a response and speak, different brain areas become activated, as shown in the smaller image at right. The front of the brain is activated when you interpret your friend’s words and form a response. When you begin to respond, an area in the back of the brain becomes active. This area becomes more and more active as you talk.
Reading is another complicated activity. The same areas of your brain that are active when you talk to your friend are active when you read. But another area is also activated. This third area is farther back in the brain. It allows you to see and interpret the printed words in front of you. Even people who read Braille use the visual part of their brain to interpret what is on the page.
Unanswered Questions
Every new discovery in neuroscience brings with it new questions. Some of these include the following:
- Can the plasticity of an adult brain be used to help adults recover from brain injuries and diseases?
- Can neuroscientists find ways to treat, or even cure, disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease?
- Why are humans, and not other primates, good at learning words and systems of grammar?
UPDATES: Straight from the Headlines
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- Learning Through Dreams
Technology
Scanning the Brain
Much of today’s research on brain function uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In a traditional MRI, computers use information from a magnetic field to make a three-dimensional image of the brain. An fMRI uses an MRI machine together with computer software that can analyze which part of the brain is active while a person performs different tasks.
A person lies in an MRI machine and thinks about something, observes images, listens to music, or does arithmetic. While the person thinks, the largest quantity of oxygenated blood gets directed to the part of the brain that is doing the most work.
The magnets detect molecules of hemoglobin, which bind oxygen in red blood cells. The hemoglobin contains atoms of iron, a metal that is attracted to magnets. When the magnetic field encounters the iron in hemoglobin, the magnetic field bends slightly.
Sensors in the MRI machine record the bending and send the information to a computer. The computer calculates, based on the amount of bending in the magnetic field, how much oxygen is present and calculates where in the brain the oxygen is located.
The computer maps this information on a three-dimensional model of the brain as shown in the photograph. The orange highlighted area on the model indicates the area of the brain that the person was using during the experiment.
Careers
Neuroscientist in Action
Dr. Rae Nishi
Title: Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Vermont
Education: Ph. D., Biology, University of California, San Diego
Dr. Rae Nishi’s research proves that you do not need complicated technology, such as fMRIs, to make discoveries in neuroscience. Through observation and experiment, Dr. Nishi’s research tries to answer the question: What causes brain cells to die?
Although the question is too broad to answer completely, Dr. Nishi has discovered a molecule that seems to keep alive brain cells in dying chick embryos. She also found that by blocking a certain receptor on the surface of neurons, dying neurons will stop showing signs of decline. Studies of how and why brain cells might die are important in understanding Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, which cause certain areas of the brain to become inactive.
"There is no profession as exciting as being a scientist," Dr. Nishi says. "You get to learn new things every day. You get to make discoveries. You get to solve puzzles." Dr. Nishi is currently working to determine how the molecules released during one neuron’s death might trigger the growth of new, neighboring neurons.
Comments
Comment from: Kelsey
September 10, 2009 08:13 PM [#]
I think this is really interesting.It brings up alot of new questions.And it provided alot of answers.But I agree with Trish, it is really mean to hook up babies to machines.
Comment from: Leann
October 8, 2009 09:19 AM [#]
Wow.
Comment from: Anonymous
October 8, 2009 09:25 AM [#]
That does have a lot of information but the baby is gonna be afraid of wires or anything like it... i feel bad for the baby. That will just tramatize him.
Comment from: JKilbury(MMHS P6)
November 4, 2009 05:29 PM [#]
I wonder how video games help the brain multi-task. But anyway, it's cool how the brain works.
Comment from: KCole
November 8, 2009 07:54 PM [#]
This is my most favorite link/article out of all of the articles.Its funny how the brain works.I never knew the brain has over 100 billion cells.It has a lot of places you can store information. BUT THE BABY PICTURE WAS PRETTY WEIRD.
Comment from: DGuizar(MMHS P2)
November 12, 2009 05:47 PM [#]
im happy knowin that my brain is always active even when i play video games. This is a cool article.
Comment from: FDe Leon(MMHS P2)
November 16, 2009 06:05 PM [#]
Cool article. I think each video game affects your brain differently. For example a learning game will affect your brain positively. Other ones for example violent or no learning would affect negativly.
Comment from: Rgomez (MMHS P6)
November 17, 2009 08:38 AM [#]
I cant believe the brain is better than a computer
Comment from: JOmoto (MMHS) P7
November 23, 2009 09:00 AM [#]
this article was very fascinating,learning that the brain is greater than a regular or a high tec computer.
Comment from: DTrenco (MMHS P1)
November 28, 2009 12:11 AM [#]
very interesting article. i didn't know the brain had over 100 billian cells.
Comment from: AGallo (MMHS P5)
November 29, 2009 02:56 PM [#]
This article was fascinating, I didn't know that the activites people were involved in at a young age effected how the brain forms certain areas of itself.
Comment from: Hsoto(MMHS P7)
November 30, 2009 07:01 PM [#]
Interesting article. Who would have thought that video games strengthen the brains beneficial connections. I liked the multitasking paragraphs.
Comment from: EMay(MMHS P5)
December 6, 2009 06:37 PM [#]
This article was very interesting. I would have never known you had 100 billian cells or even something like that video games strengthen the brains beneficial connections.
Comment from: AWells (MMHS P1)
December 6, 2009 07:15 PM [#]
I think it's crazy how our brains can store more information than the most powerful computer out there...
Comment from: JRobidoux (MMHS P5)
December 6, 2009 09:42 PM [#]
this article was very informative and interesting for me. i didnt know that your activities effects how your brain forms and how even when you're talking your brain is being used
Comment from: VPinell [MMHS P4]
December 8, 2009 06:52 PM [#]
its kool to know that video games can actually help you learn more than just rotten your brain.
Comment from: KBeckingham (MMHS P5)
December 9, 2009 10:13 PM [#]
The brain is pretty amazing. It can carry out multiple functions better than the most powerful existing computer and it is always learning.
Comment from: Melody Q.(VMHS) ;)
December 13, 2009 08:14 PM [#]
i think its pretty cool to see how your brain works even though the baby doesnt know that his brain is getting moniter if he did he proberly thought it was cool
Comment from: m1gu3l
December 18, 2009 10:44 AM [#]
it's kool how ur brian works cuz u would no wats wrong and wats right
Comment from: kelsey
January 27, 2010 03:50 PM [#]
the brain is unique thing. I have just realized of my dreams to become a scientist. I'm offically hooked into the study oof the brain; bu t believe or not it is one big maze or mystery i wish to solve in my adult years. And the article is most impressive.
Comment from: rani
February 25, 2010 09:15 PM [#]
its good things
Comment from: Rylie K DNHS p. 5
June 9, 2010 10:55 AM [#]
the brain has a way of taking an action and learning from it. you keep your neurons stimulated everyday with the things you do- as long as you do what is right. a lot of things that the average teenager does, doesnt stimulate the parts of the brain that need to be worked on most. video games, laying around, watching tv, ect. it doesnt help you learn, for the most part. if adults taught their kids how to speak different languages by the time they were 3, and determined whats right and whats wrong, kids would choose what they like from that, later in life.
Comment from: Ash
August 30, 2010 04:02 PM [#]
poor baby! that picture is really sad...why would you do that to a baby?? other then that this article was pretty cool
Comment from: m3li55@
September 4, 2010 06:06 PM [#]
juss so you guys knoe...the baby isnt in any pain. its like wearing a hat. so you guys can stop freaking about the baby. jeez
Comment from: Brian
September 17, 2010 09:55 AM [#]
even so, it still looks sad for the baby
Comment from: adam
September 27, 2010 09:44 AM [#]
i belive this is a great learning web site im verry interested in evrything!!!!! lol
Comment from: Gintoki
September 27, 2010 12:56 PM [#]
its knowin y brain keeps working while playing video games
Comment from: helga
September 28, 2010 09:46 AM [#]
now i belive that this is awful because if i child has to have wires put on its head then that is just not sanitary. :)
Comment from: Lizzie
September 28, 2010 09:47 AM [#]
Okay, I understand you have to do your tests & stuff but why on earth would you ever do that to a little baby! This makes me want to cry! It is crazy what people will do so they have a few tests.
Comment from: ? ? ?
September 28, 2010 09:52 AM [#]
this was a pretty good article to read but they shouldn't do this to a baby. . .
Comment from: kELLY
September 28, 2010 09:53 AM [#]
LEAVE THE BABY ALONE!!!!!!! HE/SHE IS A PERSON TOO!! YOU WOULDNT WANT SOMEONE DOIN THAT TO YOU
Comment from: ernie
February 7, 2011 09:29 AM [#]
wow i can't believe that the brain is smarter than a computer. i see all these shows about solving crimes and never would have guessed that my brain is smarter than a computer!!!
Comment from: AU
April 6, 2011 06:02 PM [#]
The brain may be smarter than a computer, but factor in that we use only 20% of our brains...what about the other 80%? Imagine what we could do if we could access our full potential
Comment from: Dalton
May 16, 2011 09:12 AM [#]
Cool
Comment from: Kenny G
May 16, 2011 09:12 AM [#]
What if it was possible to use a brain as a hard drive for a computer. That would be alot of memory!
Comment from: German
May 16, 2011 09:13 AM [#]
Could you please post my comment so I can get extra credit in my biology class. :)
Comment from: Ken G
May 16, 2011 09:13 AM [#]
Best website ever.
Comment from: Kenny G
May 16, 2011 09:19 AM [#]
I knew video games were good for the brain.
Comment from: Taylor Browder
May 16, 2011 09:27 AM [#]
This is such a neat article! It's so cool that they do this to help out other people. That baby is soooo cuteee. :)
Comment from: Tanner Porter
May 16, 2011 09:30 AM [#]
I'd like to know more about this article. what other studies have they done to test this out? it is vry interesting!!!!
Comment from: billy
May 16, 2011 09:31 AM [#]
what genre of videogames help strengthen brain connections. n that kid might have brain problems, which might make the parents want him/her in the hat thing so the can figure out how to treat the problem.
COD FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from: Tanner Porter
May 16, 2011 09:35 AM [#]
If we only use 20% of our brians, and we dont use the other 80% then what parts of our brains are not being used? and do you think the "einstein's" of our world used more than 20% and if so, do you think we should have done studies on there brains to find out more???
Comment from: Anonymous
May 16, 2011 09:37 AM [#]
How is it that you learn better and increase your memory with sleep yet the place kids neet it most is school and school starts at 8 a.m. when kids are tired?
Comment from: Matt Dornink
May 16, 2011 09:39 AM [#]
Hi, I'm Matt Dornink. I really enjoyed reading this article. I found it very interesting. I enjoy studying the brain and I plan on being a neuroscientist like Dr. Rae Nishi.
Comment from: Nathalie
May 16, 2011 09:49 AM [#]
At an early stage the childen start to learn new things and the brain has the most potential so i think that scientist learning from a small child can further our knowledge in the study of the brain.
Comment from: Kenny Geha
May 17, 2011 09:28 AM [#]
The old adage of humans only using 10% of their brain is not true. Every part of the brain has a known function. Besides, computers cant have their own personality, therefore, we are smarter and better than any computer.
Comment from: the three musketeers (april, mallary, and breann)
May 17, 2011 09:43 AM [#]
If sleeping/dreaming helps us memorize and learn, then why do we get up so early for school knowing that some kids didnt get a good night sleep?
Comment from: Hannah Dean
August 30, 2011 04:14 PM [#]
It would be great if diseases like Alzheimer's could be cured. I wonder what effect the second wave of plasticity has on minds today... or will have on mine.
Comment from: Trace
August 30, 2011 04:26 PM [#]
It would be very beificial to man kind if they could stop Alzheimer’s but it seems that it will be many years before it is possible.
Comment from: Haley
August 30, 2011 08:36 PM [#]
I believe that this article is very interesting and full of valuable information. I am all for learning about different ways of studying the brain. Using television to stimulate the childs brain is an excelent way to get accurate and true results.
Comment from: Anonymous
August 31, 2011 07:22 AM [#]
This is really interesting to learn and fun.I haved lied inside a MRI machine but I never knew what exactly they were doing.
Comment from: ElworthBio508
November 15, 2011 11:09 AM [#]
This is extremely interesting.I didnt know any of these facts. Its really cool/
Comment from: sage
January 15, 2012 02:13 PM [#]
this article is amazing.