The human brain is a million times more efficient than a computer the same size. This busy control centre is responsible for our thoughts, movements, and memories. The brain needs a lot of energy to fuel its amazing processing power. Trillions of electrical impulses pass along the neural networks every second. These networks must be maintained and alternative routes planned, so if there is a problem, the signals can still get through.
Making moves
Body movement is stimulated by electrical impulses carried along nerve cells, called motor neurons. The impulse to move begins in the brain’s cerebral cortex, travels down the spinal cord, along the motor neuron, and to the muscle. As muscles contract, the body moves.
Conscious movement
Sometimes the body does not move until it receives specific sensory information. This prevents a player swinging at a tennis ball before it reaches the racket. Nerves carry electrical impulses from the brain to the muscles to make sure the body moves at the right time.
Returning serve
As the tennis ball is coming, a signal is sent to the brain to predict where the ball will land and move the body into position.
Unconscious movement
Sometimes the body must respond so quickly to sensory information that it does not want to involve the brain. This is an automatic reflex that protects the body in times of danger, such as touching something hot.
Burning hot
When you touch something very hot, the pain signals travels through the sensory nerve to the spinal cord
Automatic response
A nerve signal is sent from your spinal cord to your arm muscle, which contracts to pull the hand away.
Pain signal
The pain signal reaches the brain after the hand has moved away, and you now start to feel pain.
Picture Credit : Google