Does the brain have capacity? The answer will surprise you!
The capacity of the brain is considered to be virtually limitless. Research suggests that the human brain is made up of approximately 86 billion neurons, and that each neuron makes connections with other neurons, which could make up 1 quadrillion connections. Over time, these neurons can connect and increase memory capacity. However, in Alzheimer’s disease, for example, many neurons can become damaged and stop working, greatly affecting memory.
The brain and the spinal cord
The spinal cord stops growing on average by the age of 4. It consists of a bundle of nerve tissue and supporting cells, it is responsible for sending messages from the brain to the entire body. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, causes neurons in the brain and spinal cord to die, affecting controlled muscle movement.
We break the brain down into its prime factors!
A piece of brain tissue the size of a grain of sand contains as many as 100,000 neurons and 1 billion synapses. However, damage to even one neuron can have very serious consequences. For example, during a stroke, the blood cannot deliver oxygen to the brain, which is called ischemia. As a result, brain cells may die and the abilities in that particular area of the brain may be lost. No more multitasking!