2007-08-30 11:56:00 · 11 answers · asked by BBHunter 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Thanks for your answers, but some of you have not comprehended my question. A brain is an organ, we know. My question is in another words, what are the necessary components that a brain has that enables it to produce thought? Your answers are equivalent to "we can walk because we're human". Thanks.
2007-08-30 13:25:25 · update #1
Neurons need to fire an electrical signal.
Your brain is a collection of neurons, which are individual cells that hold an electrical charge. The neurons are working in a sea of chemicals; neurotransmitters and hormones. A thought is influenced by those chemicals and is probably partially chemical, so just the electrical signal isn't enough to hold a thought.
However, an electrical signal is what the nerves carry to control the body. Scientists are trying to decode the nerve impulses so that an artificial limb can move when its owner thinks move limb. As it is now they learn to use a specific muscle group, the signal sent to that muscle group is then taken as a signal to move the limb. So a man with an artificial arm has to clench muscles in his back or chest to move his arm and hand. That limits the types of movements and how many can be made. It also requires that the person be taught how to use their limb.
We are not sure just what goes into a thought or a memory. We think that it is all electrical based, but we don't understand the role that brain hormones and neurotransmitters play in the mix. Melton is a brain hormone that encourages sleep. Prosaic is an antidepressant medication that affects the level of serotonin in the brain; a neurotransmitter. In some people this can make them feel better, but in very few people it can make them suicidal. Why this happens is unknown, but we have observed the effects and develop drugs based on that reaction. We also control pain through similar methods. We don’t know exactly how drugs like Motrin work, but we know they are playing with the chemistry of the brain and that combination of chemicals can relieve some pain.
Only the brain thinks, but your spinal cord does have some basic reactions built into it. These automatic actions are things that keep you breathing and your heart beating. The spinal cord controls some of these functions like that “knee jerk reflex” generated when a doctor hits your knee with a hammer to make it faster to send them to the body. So if you foot hits a burning log then you will feel the heat, and the pain and start to pull your foot back before your brain has a chance to react to the problem, thus saving your foot.
2007-08-30 12:10:53 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Does it really matter? Yes Evolution started off as a theory, but has been proved over and over by science. The Origin of Man is still a Theory that Darwin created. It will be an arguement until the end of days. The Bible says one thing and nobody can grasp that it could be describing evolution. This earth was here for a huge about of time before Man appeared on the scene. Animals were here for a big amount of time before Man appeared on the scene. Science has proven it beyond a doubt. How the earth was a big ball of lava at one time. Then water, then mounds of earth popped up. So the Bible may not gone into a lot of detail and didn't say... a day was equal to a thousand years, or anything like that........... but couldn't it have just been like that? Why does it always have to be right or wrong...... wasn't anyone ever taught to think outside the box?
2016-05-17 10:22:08 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thought is currently an un understood process. The brain produces thoughts through electrical charges, but the actual difference of thought in the brain being processed as "I'm hungry" or "I'm tired" is not understood, as well as consciousness. The requirements however, are probably oxygen and blood to the brain.
2007-08-30 12:03:14 · answer #3 · answered by Jeteon B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The organ needs to be a brain.
2007-08-30 11:58:30 · answer #4 · answered by Lost Poet 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
a brain
2007-08-30 12:04:34 · answer #5 · answered by bornwith3nuts 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a brain
2007-08-30 11:58:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The one you seem to be missing, the brain.
2007-08-30 12:00:18 · answer #7 · answered by Sheila M 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Neurons, for one. Glia to support the neurons. The neurons need to be able to communicate via action potentials.
2007-08-30 12:02:24 · answer #8 · answered by citrus punch 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a brain?
2007-08-30 12:20:20 · answer #9 · answered by tangledwwweb 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
organs can't think
but they can communicate and follow instructions from brain or DNA.
2007-08-30 12:02:31 · answer #10 · answered by pockethotrod 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋