Department of Neuroscience

The Department of Neuroscience aims to organize and provide resources related to neuroscience, remind people to care about their brain health, share brain fun facts, and inspire young women on their neuroscience path.

Brain Structure

The brain is a vital organ that controls the body’s functions, thoughts, and emotions. It has three main parts: the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem. Each part of the brain has specialized areas that work together to keep the body functioning smoothly.

Cells

The brain contains two main types of cells: neurons and glial cells. Together, these cells form complex networks that allow the brain to process information, regulate the body, and respond to stimuli.

History

Neuroscience began in ancient times, with early thinkers like Hippocrates, Galen and Renaissance scientists. In the 19th century, neuron theory emerged. Modern neuroscience blends biology and technology to understand the brain's structure, function, and disorders.

Opportunities

Stay tunned for related opportunities!

Structure of Neurons

By Avishka Desai

Axons

Relay electrical signals (aka. action potentials) to other neurons, and is the piece of fiber connecting neurons together.

Dendrites

Branched extensions of neurons that receive electrical signals and impulses from other neurons.

Axon Terminal

The ending of an axon that relays the signal through synaptic connections to nerve cells or effector cells.

Cell Body

Part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and other essential organelles that regulate the cell's health while also being key in processing information, being the core of the cell.

The Cerebrum

By Jessie K.

Introduction

The cerebrum is the largest and most complex part of the human brain, playing a central role in almost every voluntary and cognitive function. It accounts for approximately 85% of the brain’s weight and is responsible for what are often considered uniquely human abilities, such as reasoning, language, imagination, and decision-making. As such, the cerebrum is essential not only to everyday bodily control but also to personal identity and conscious experience.

Anatomical structures

Anatomically, the cerebrum is divided into two symmetrical halves, known as the left and right cerebral hemispheres, connected by a thick band of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum.

Each hemisphere is further divided into four primary lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, each associated with specific sets of functions.

The outermost layer of the cerebrum, the cerebral cortex, is composed of gray matter and features a highly folded surface with gyri (ridges) and sulci (grooves) that greatly increase its surface area.
Beneath the cortex lies the white matter, which contains bundles of axons that connect different regions of the brain.

Functional Significance

Functionally, the cerebrum is involved in nearly all voluntary activities and higher brain functions.

The frontal lobe governs executive functions such as planning and movement.
The parietal lobe processes sensory information related to touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.
The temporal lobe is critical for hearing, memory, and language comprehension.
The occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing.
Additionally, the cerebrum plays a major role in language production, emotional regulation, and learning, making it fundamental to human behaviour and interaction.

Clinical Relevance

Damage to the cerebrum, whether due to trauma, stroke, tumors, or degenerative diseases, can result in significant neurological impairments. Depending on the location of the injury, symptoms may include paralysis, aphasia, memory deficits, and more. Conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) often involve cerebral dysfunction.

Cerebrum? Cerebellum?

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and includes parts above and forward of the cerebellum. It’s the part that starts and manages conscious thoughts, meaning, things that you actively think about or do.

The cerebellum is a small part located at the bottom of the brain near the back of the head. It processes and regulates signals between other parts of the brain and body, and is involved in coordinating the functions of the body (for example, walking).