1. COLLAPSE

Three facts that I learned about the brain that I did not know before are that the brain weighs 3 pounds, the brain can be divided into three basic units: forebrain, midbrain, and the hindbrain. Also, I had no idea that a cell called a neuron serves as the fundamental functional unit. Neuronal signals that flow through them produce all feelings, movements, thoughts, memories, and experiences. The cell body, dendrites, and axon are the three components that make up a neuron.  

Your brain is the source of all your characteristics, uniqueness, and skills. Understanding the brain’s functioning will enable us to comprehend the principles behind human behavior and activity. All healthy human brains share the same fundamental structures and functions, despite each being unique.  

If I could choose any nervous system disorder to study, it would be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome why? because I have it. Three facts about this syndrome are that it occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. It is also often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.    

2. COLLAPSE

Three things I learned about the brain while studying this unit are that the brain weighs only 3 pounds and is surrounded by a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid; this fluid also surrounds a person’s spinal cord. A person’s brain is not fully developed until they are 25 years old and information in their brain travels up to 268 miles per hour. These three facts are things about the brain that I did not know until now, and I find them very interesting. Another thing that I found interesting is that sleep is as essential for the brain as food and water are to the rest of our bodies and well-being. Sleep deprivation can increase the build-up of protein in our brains which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. 

The brain controls a person’s nervous system, which, unfortunately, can have many different disorders. I find the most interesting disorder, and the one I would like to study is Alzheimer’s disease. Over 3 million cases of this disease affect people in the United States alone every year. It is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other mental functions. Memory loss and confusion are the two main symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease; sadly, no cure exists. This disease interests me the most because I have watched several family members suffer from it, and it is one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed. I could not imagine losing all memory of my loved ones, especially my children and grandchildren. I hope and pray that a cure will be found at some point in the future, and nobody will ever have to suffer like that again.