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Rash Abdul
11/12/2025
Biology
The Brain
153
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11 Dec 2025
•
Understanding the Brain: Anatomy, Functions, and Key Components
Rash Abdul
@jakey_ndfn
1 / 9
The Brain's Main Components
Think of your brain like a sophisticated computer with three major parts working together. The cerebrum is the star of the show - it's the largest bit and handles all your clever stuff like thinking, learning, and remembering where you left your keys.
The cerebrum splits into two halves called hemispheres, connected by a bridge of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum. Here's something mental: each hemisphere controls the opposite side of your body, so your left brain controls your right hand!
Your cerebrum manages everything from processing what you see and hear to controlling your personality and emotions. It's also responsible for motor control, which means it tells your muscles when and how to move.
Quick fact: Your cerebrum contains billions of neurons all chattering away to each other through electrical and chemical signals!
The Coordination Centre and Life Support
The cerebellum sits at the back of your brain like a mini version of the main brain. Don't let its size fool you - this little powerhouse keeps you balanced and coordinated. Without it, you'd struggle to walk in a straight line or catch a ball.
The brainstem is your brain's life support system. It connects everything together and controls the vital stuff you never think about - like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It also manages your sleep-wake cycle, which explains why you feel rubbish when it's disrupted!
This region handles reflexes too, like coughing when something goes down the wrong way or making you sneeze when dust tickles your nose. Basically, it keeps you alive without you having to think about it.
Remember: The brainstem controls automatic functions that happen without conscious thought - pretty amazing when you think about it!
Brain Regions and Their Special Jobs
Your cerebrum is divided into four main lobes, each with its own speciality. The frontal lobe at the front handles planning, decision-making, and your personality - it's basically what makes you act like you rather than someone else.
The parietal lobe processes touch and helps you understand where you are in space. The temporal lobe deals with hearing and memory formation, whilst the occipital lobe at the back processes everything you see.
Deep inside your brain, smaller structures do specific jobs. The hypothalamus acts like your body's thermostat, controlling temperature, hunger, and thirst. The amygdala processes emotions (especially fear), and the hippocampus helps form new memories.
Study tip: Try linking each lobe to its location - frontal (front) for planning ahead, occipital (back) for looking back at what you've seen!
How Your Brain Actually Works
Your brain contains billions of neurons - specialised cells that chat to each other constantly. They send messages using electrical impulses that zoom along like tiny lightning bolts through wire-like structures called axons.
When these electrical signals reach the end of a neuron, they trigger the release of neurotransmitters - chemical messengers that hop across tiny gaps called synapses to the next neuron. It's like an incredibly fast game of chemical telephone!
This process happens millions of times per second, allowing your brain to coordinate everything from solving equations to remembering your mate's birthday. The more you use certain neural pathways, the stronger they become - which is why practice really does make perfect.
Mind-blowing fact: Your brain uses about 20% of your body's energy despite only weighing about 1.4kg - it's like a supercomputer that never switches off!
When Things Go Wrong
Sometimes brains can develop problems, and understanding these helps us appreciate how complex this organ really is. Alzheimer's disease gradually destroys memory and thinking skills, whilst Parkinson's disease affects movement, causing tremors and stiffness.
Strokes happen when blood flow to part of the brain gets cut off, potentially causing lasting damage. Brain tumours are abnormal growths that can press on healthy tissue and cause various symptoms depending on where they're located.
Mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia affect how the brain processes emotions and thoughts. Epilepsy causes seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Important: Understanding brain disorders helps reduce stigma and shows why supporting people with these conditions matters so much.
Keeping Your Brain in Top Shape
Looking after your brain is just as important as looking after your body - and many of the same things help both! A healthy diet packed with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides the fuel your brain needs to function properly.
Regular exercise boosts blood flow to your brain and actually helps improve cognitive function. Getting enough sleep is absolutely crucial - your brain uses this time to consolidate memories and clear out waste products.
Managing stress effectively protects your brain from damage, whilst cognitive stimulation through reading, puzzles, and learning new skills keeps your neural pathways strong and flexible. Think of it as going to the gym, but for your brain!
Action point: Try incorporating one brain-healthy habit into your routine this week - whether it's a 10-minute walk or doing a crossword puzzle!
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding the Brain: Anatomy, Functions, and Key Components
Rash Abdul
@jakey_ndfn
Your brain is basically your body's ultimate control centre - it's what makes you youand keeps everything ticking along perfectly. From helping you nail that maths problem to making sure your heart keeps beating whilst you sleep, this incredible... Show more
The Brain's Main Components
Think of your brain like a sophisticated computer with three major parts working together. The cerebrum is the star of the show - it's the largest bit and handles all your clever stuff like thinking, learning, and remembering where you left your keys.
The cerebrum splits into two halves called hemispheres, connected by a bridge of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum. Here's something mental: each hemisphere controls the opposite side of your body, so your left brain controls your right hand!
Your cerebrum manages everything from processing what you see and hear to controlling your personality and emotions. It's also responsible for motor control, which means it tells your muscles when and how to move.
Quick fact: Your cerebrum contains billions of neurons all chattering away to each other through electrical and chemical signals!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Coordination Centre and Life Support
The cerebellum sits at the back of your brain like a mini version of the main brain. Don't let its size fool you - this little powerhouse keeps you balanced and coordinated. Without it, you'd struggle to walk in a straight line or catch a ball.
The brainstem is your brain's life support system. It connects everything together and controls the vital stuff you never think about - like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It also manages your sleep-wake cycle, which explains why you feel rubbish when it's disrupted!
This region handles reflexes too, like coughing when something goes down the wrong way or making you sneeze when dust tickles your nose. Basically, it keeps you alive without you having to think about it.
Remember: The brainstem controls automatic functions that happen without conscious thought - pretty amazing when you think about it!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Brain Regions and Their Special Jobs
Your cerebrum is divided into four main lobes, each with its own speciality. The frontal lobe at the front handles planning, decision-making, and your personality - it's basically what makes you act like you rather than someone else.
The parietal lobe processes touch and helps you understand where you are in space. The temporal lobe deals with hearing and memory formation, whilst the occipital lobe at the back processes everything you see.
Deep inside your brain, smaller structures do specific jobs. The hypothalamus acts like your body's thermostat, controlling temperature, hunger, and thirst. The amygdala processes emotions (especially fear), and the hippocampus helps form new memories.
Study tip: Try linking each lobe to its location - frontal (front) for planning ahead, occipital (back) for looking back at what you've seen!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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How Your Brain Actually Works
Your brain contains billions of neurons - specialised cells that chat to each other constantly. They send messages using electrical impulses that zoom along like tiny lightning bolts through wire-like structures called axons.
When these electrical signals reach the end of a neuron, they trigger the release of neurotransmitters - chemical messengers that hop across tiny gaps called synapses to the next neuron. It's like an incredibly fast game of chemical telephone!
This process happens millions of times per second, allowing your brain to coordinate everything from solving equations to remembering your mate's birthday. The more you use certain neural pathways, the stronger they become - which is why practice really does make perfect.
Mind-blowing fact: Your brain uses about 20% of your body's energy despite only weighing about 1.4kg - it's like a supercomputer that never switches off!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
When Things Go Wrong
Sometimes brains can develop problems, and understanding these helps us appreciate how complex this organ really is. Alzheimer's disease gradually destroys memory and thinking skills, whilst Parkinson's disease affects movement, causing tremors and stiffness.
Strokes happen when blood flow to part of the brain gets cut off, potentially causing lasting damage. Brain tumours are abnormal growths that can press on healthy tissue and cause various symptoms depending on where they're located.
Mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia affect how the brain processes emotions and thoughts. Epilepsy causes seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Important: Understanding brain disorders helps reduce stigma and shows why supporting people with these conditions matters so much.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Keeping Your Brain in Top Shape
Looking after your brain is just as important as looking after your body - and many of the same things help both! A healthy diet packed with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides the fuel your brain needs to function properly.
Regular exercise boosts blood flow to your brain and actually helps improve cognitive function. Getting enough sleep is absolutely crucial - your brain uses this time to consolidate memories and clear out waste products.
Managing stress effectively protects your brain from damage, whilst cognitive stimulation through reading, puzzles, and learning new skills keeps your neural pathways strong and flexible. Think of it as going to the gym, but for your brain!
Action point: Try incorporating one brain-healthy habit into your routine this week - whether it's a 10-minute walk or doing a crossword puzzle!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user