National Geographic has a quick and helpful interactive introduction to the human brain, explaining in simple terms the brain's anatomy, some common diseases, and also which parts of the brain are lit up by smells, light, sound, romance, and other stimuli. From the site:
The brain's nerve cells are known as neurons, which make up the organ's so-called "gray matter." The neurons transmit and gather electrochemical signals that are communicated via a network of millions of nerve fibers called dendrites and axons. These are the brain's "white matter."
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, accounting for 85 percent of the organ's weight. The distinctive, deeply wrinkled outer surface is the cerebral cortex, which consists of gray matter. Beneath this lies the white matter. It's the cerebrum that makes the human brain—and therefore humans—so formidable. Whereas animals such as elephants, dolphins, and whales have larger brains, humans have the most developed cerebrum. It's packed to capacity inside our skulls, enveloping the rest of the brain, with the deep folds cleverly maximizing the cortex area.
The cerebrum has two halves, or hemispheres. It is further divided into four regions, or lobes, in each hemisphere. The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are involved with speech, thought, learning, emotion, and movement. Behind them are the parietal lobes, which process sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain. At the rear of the brain are the occipital lobes, dealing with vision. Lastly, there are the temporal lobes, near the temples, which are involved with hearing and memory.
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Whereas animals such as elephants, dolphins, and whales have larger brains, humans have the most developed cerebrum.
What means this, "developed?"
David:
I think this "quick and helpful interactive introduction" is simplified to the point of misrepresentation.
For example, to talk about the cells that constitute the brain, and leave out any mention of glial cells which are many times more numerous than neurons is not much of a histoanatomy lesson.
And, you really can't talk too much about brain function by just looking at surface anatomy. I've seen kids books that do a better job.
David, how did you find this presentation helpful?
Bill K.
"Man has always assumed that he is more intelligent than dolphins because he has achieved so much—the wheel, New York, wars and so on—whilst all the dolphins have ever done is muck about in the water, having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man—for precisely the same reasons."
David, I think you're judging too harshly--glials aren't "basic" brain structure. I'd relegate that concept to more "intermediate". Most life science and biology courses introduce neurons before glials. Regardless, I'm not sure how David bears the responsibility for that! ;)
Understanding the lobes, and the basic function of neurons is an appropriate staring place. I agree, covering glials brings a greater understanding--though not necessary to get the basic concepts down.
Bah, I mean to direct my post to Bill K. Sorry, the glials in my neurons have ceased firing!
@Cinemajay (#5), thanks!
Actually, the term 'the brain' has always been misleading. It is now widely known that neurons are located throughout the body and cluster together in all the organs [basal ganglia]. Some of the more interesting neuro facts, that western science is slowly integrating: The heart is 60%-65% neural tissue. The heart is directly connected to the cerebral cortex, the limbic system and the immune system.
Thus it'd be more accurate to see ourselves as having a brain system rather than just 'the brain'.
Also there are many interesting gender differences in the brain system. Such as female temporal lobes being much more developed than male temporal lobes.
PIMINNOWCHEEZ-
The cortex is where much of the more complex processing happens, and can be divided into areas based on functionality. A more "developed" cortex in this case refers to more complex functionality or more sophisticated processing.
OVERTONEWIZ-
Im not sure why you use basal gangila as an example of an organ outside of what we call the brain. In fact, it is at the very center of it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal_ganglia
That the body contains many neurons, is not something new to 'western science' and comprises what has long been called the 'Central Nervous System' or CNS. The spinal cord is an example of an organ of nervous tissue that is not in the brain, and is included in the CNS. These all have their own names and the term Brain has simply been given to the organ which receives connections from all the rest of the body, processes its information, and sends signals back out.
References or STFU.
Whats the obsession with glia? Their true function is only just emerging and hardly required in a flash guide for non-scientists.