Control panel
Brain Book: Unit3
UNIT 3 - BRAIN GROWTH RESEARCH
Brain Growth Research!
New Neurons:
Scientists used to think that we had a fixed amount of brain cells and that we could never grow new ones. But new research has shown that the brain grows new cells every day! The cells are grown in the hippocampus, an area important in memory, and they travel to other areas of the brain. They also found that the brain grows more new cells when you are learning new information and skills! So, by learning and practicing, you actually add brain cells as well as new connections.
Scientists used to think that we had a fixed amount of brain cells and that we could never grow new ones. But new research has shown that the brain grows new cells every day! The cells are grown in the hippocampus, an area important in memory, and they travel to other areas of the brain. They also found that the brain grows more new cells when you are learning new information and skills! So, by learning and practicing, you actually add brain cells as well as new connections.
Remarkable Rats:
Twin rats were raised in two different environments: either in a bare cage with food and water, or in a cage with lots of puzzles, toys, and exercise equipment to explore. In the bare cages, the "cage potato rats" just ate and drank and lay around, while in the enriched environment, the "summer camp rats" were busy exploring and learning, exercising their brains. It turned out that the summer camp rats became much smarter than the cage potato rats-they were better at learning new things. And their brains were heavier too: they had more connections between the neurons in their brains. This research shows that active mental exercise builds up the brain and makes it smarter. Even old rats were able to develop their brains in the enriched environment, proving that you're never too old to grow your brain!
Twin rats were raised in two different environments: either in a bare cage with food and water, or in a cage with lots of puzzles, toys, and exercise equipment to explore. In the bare cages, the "cage potato rats" just ate and drank and lay around, while in the enriched environment, the "summer camp rats" were busy exploring and learning, exercising their brains. It turned out that the summer camp rats became much smarter than the cage potato rats-they were better at learning new things. And their brains were heavier too: they had more connections between the neurons in their brains. This research shows that active mental exercise builds up the brain and makes it smarter. Even old rats were able to develop their brains in the enriched environment, proving that you're never too old to grow your brain!
more