Learning about Learning: The Basics of Neuro-Science - The Brain

Neuro science is science of learning. Educational institutions are hugely investing in research on neuro science because this is the new way of improving educational outcomes. So, if you feel you are not so good in learning, try understanding how your brain works; I am pretty sure you will manage and improve your learning capacity.

The human brain or nervous system once considered to be only relevant for people studying science subjects is becoming very relevant to every learner. To start understanding what neuro science or science of learning is, one needs to know the basics of the brain. This post is about the brain and its function. It will set a foundation for the future posts on how your brain processes information.

Everyone knows that the brain controls all sorts of activities of the body such as:

Thinking

Problem solving

Recognition of faces and objects

Receiving and processing sensory memories like touch, pain, sight, taste, hearing, cold/hot

Monitoring and controlling involuntary actions like heart-beat, digestion and respiration

Controlling body movements

Coordinating memories

Generating and processing emotions

Converting short term learning into long term storage

Maintaining body balance or homeostasis

                              

These functions are performed by the different parts of the brain but in coordination with each other. It is not important to remember the names of the parts but understanding the function of each part will help you learn about learning.

Scan the image on the left side. Let’s consider the hand punched into the brain is the central part of the brain and the wrist as the brain stem on top of the spinal cord or back born. The punching hand is the limbic area of the brain. Keeping in mind the punched hand, below I will start from this part of the brain. i.e from the centre and going to the periphery of the brain parts. So the punching hand is the limbic area consisting of thalamus, brain stem, hippocampus, hypothalamus and amygdala.

In the image below, thalamus is the central part of the brain located on top of the brainstem (at the back of the neck). All information from the senses (except smell) is received by the brain stem and is passed onto the thalamus. It also received information from the brain itself including cognitive activities and memory. The thalamus then directs the information to other parts of the brain for further processing.

Brain stem is the bottom of the brain centre or thalamus leading down to the back born. Almost all the nerve from the body come and join the brain through the stem. Very important body functions are monitored and controlled here such as heartbeat, respiration, body temperature and digestion. It also has the brain alert system.

Hippocampus is a horse shoe like structure that goes more than halfway around the thalamus. Hippocampus is very important in learning, memorization and understanding or meaning making. It constantly monitors the information in the working memory and compares it to the stored experiences or previous knowledge. This way it converts information from working memory to long-term memory. This processing of information may take days or even months.

If the hippocampus removed or damaged, a person can remember information for very few minutes. He/she will get to know you today but not recognize you tomorrow. He/she can read the same article repeatedly and each time believe that it is the first time he/she has read it. Alzheimer’s disease is of this kind in which the neuron in the hippocampus are destroyed and hence loss of memory.

On the other hand you can strengthened the hippocampus by creating new neurons through a process called neurogenesis. Neurogenesis can be improved through diet and exercise. Loss of sleep and excessive alcohol consumption can weaken the hippocampus.  

Amygdala is on one end of the hippocampus. It deals with emotions like fear. When you interact with an unsafe or difficult environment, amygdala decides on the surviving strategies such as whether to attack or escape, eat or drink. An interaction of amygdala with the hippocampus stores the emotional memories of tough times. Sometimes you become emotional recalling a particular experience. This means the amygdala in coordination with the hippocampus has stored the emotional memory. That kind of experience has left a mark in the long term emotional memory. For example the loss of a near one.

The hypothalamus is below the brain centre or thalamus. It monitors the internal systems of the brain to maintain the normal balance of the body or homeostasis. It controls the hormones, moderates body functions such as sleep, body temperature, food and liquid intake. If body systems slip out of balance, it is difficult to concentrate on cognitive processing.

Cerebrum is the peripheral and largest part in the brain divided into two parts as the cerebral hemisphere, on each side of the head. Interestingly the right side of the hemisphere controls the left side of the body and vice a versa.  The hemispheres are connected with nerve fibres to communicate. Thinking, memory, speech and muscular movements are controlled by areas in the cerebrum.

Cerebellum is also a peripheral and a two-hemisphere part located below the rare part of the cerebrum and behind the brain centre. It is highly rich in brain cells or neurons. The cerebellum coordinates movement. The nerves from here end in the muscles. It coordinates movements like a dancer’s foot step, swinging of a ball by a baller and as simple as bringing a cup to the lips by a hand without spilling the tea. Some movement become automatic just because its memory is stored. Such as typing or tying a shoe lace. Practice can improve the speed of the movement, its accuracy with less thinking involved – becoming more skilful at some tasks. The cerebellum is connected to other parts of the brain with mental thinking and sensory information processing, hence researchers believe that the brain can also automatize thinking skills without conscious attention. While the conscious part of the brain can attend to other complex mental activities thus enlarging its cognitive scope.

Frontal lobes are at the front of the brain involves higher order thinking, problem solving and controlling emotions. If you are working intensely and focusing on something, your frontal lobes are engaged. In terms of emotional control, this part of the brain matures slowly – this is why adolescents cannot control their emotions compare to adults. This is the working memory of the brain.

Temporal lobes are located above the ears dealing with sounds and music. It also control the speech centre. Temporal lobes help in recognizing faces and objects. If damage occurs here, the person won’t be able to recognize people or objects.

Occipital lobes are at the back of your head. It processes visual information. If it is damaged, your vision will be distorted.

Parietal Lobes are near the top of your head. It is involved in sensory information from the body such as hot/cold, touch or pain. This part of the brain also helps in spatial orientation. You cannot recognize and feel your body parts if this part of your brain is damaged.

The next post will explain the structure and function of a nerve cell or neuron.