Human Brain Facts
The brain is like a giant computer that controls our bodies and
allows us to think. All of the special sensors in the body talk to
the brain, and the brain sends out signals to the rest of the
body. It is located inside our heads, and is powered mainly by
sugar, which is made from the food you eat. The brain changes
over time and adapts to things going on in our lives. This
wonderful organ is very complicated, and still puzzles scientists
on how parts of it work.
Interesting Human Brain Facts:
 An adult brain weighs up to 3 pounds, usually only
about 2% of body weight, but uses nearly 20% of the body's energy!
 The brain floats in a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. This helps protect it from harm and
provides some nutrients to the cells of the brain.
 The skull (or cranium), which protects the brain, is made up of 22 different bones joined
together.
 The brain is made up of three different parts - the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain
stem.
 The cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain, is responsible for thoughts, emotions,
and senses like touch, taste, smell, and vision. It is what we use to think with.
 The cerebellum, which means "little brain," is what helps us keep our balance, and helps
coordinate our body movements.
 The brain stem connects the brain to the spinal cord. It is also responsible for all of the things
you don't normally think about (like your heart beating, breathing, and digesting food).
 The brain is split into two halves; each half controls the OPPOSITE side of the body.
 Most nerves in your body connect to the spinal cord, but there are 12 nerves that come from
the brain itself. These control some of the most important functions in your body, including
vision, smell, facial movement, and heart rate.
 The brain contains billions of nerve cells that receive and send signals from the rest of the
body.
 Every memory you have is safely stored in a special area of the brain called the hippocampus.
 The brain works on electricity. The same power that gives you light at night also runs your
brain, giving you your thoughts, emotions, and moves your muscles!
 Out of all of the oxygen you breathe in, the brain uses nearly 25% of it.
 The brain is also responsible for growth, with chemicals called hormones being released
from a special gland called the pituitary gland.
 When you are born, you have all of the neurons (the cells in the brain) that you'll ever have.
They aren't all connected though - that happens when you learn new things, like crawling,
walking, or riding a bike.
 In order to run your brain, you need to eat good foods that are rich in potassium, calcium
and fatty acids such as omega 3.
 The last fact, but not least, is that the human brain is around 3 times larger than other
animals’ brains that are our size!
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Human Brain Facts
1. What is the main source of energy that powers the brain?
a) Protein
b) Fat
c) Sugar
d) Vitamins
2. What fluid surrounds and protects the brain?
a) Blood
b) Cerebrospinal fluid
c) Saliva
d) Urine
3. How many parts is the brain divided into?
a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five
4. Which part of the brain is responsible for thoughts, emotions, and senses?
a) Cerebrum
b) Cerebellum
c) Brain stem
d) Spinal cord
5. The brain stem is responsible for which bodily functions?
a) Vision and hearing
b) Thinking and reasoning
c) Heart beating and breathing
d) Balance and coordination
6. How many halves is the brain split into, and what does each half control?
a) Two halves; each half controls the same side of the body.
b) Two halves; each half controls the opposite side of the body.
c) Three halves; each half controls a specific part of the body.
d) Four halves; each half controls different organs.
7. Where are most of the body's memories stored?
a) Cerebellum
b) Brain stem
c) Hippocampus
d) Cerebrum
8. What kind of power does the brain need to function?
a) Electricity
b) Oxygen
c) Carbohydrates
d) Hormones
9. What percentage of oxygen consumed by the body is used by the brain?
a) 5%
b) 10%
c) 20%
d) 25%
10. Which gland is responsible for releasing growth hormones for the brain?
a) Thyroid gland
b) Adrenal gland
c) Pituitary gland
d) Pancreas
11. When do neurons in the brain start to connect with each other?
a) At birth
b) During infancy
c) During adolescence
d) When you reach adulthood
12. What types of nutrients are important for brain health?
a) Vitamin C and iron
b) Potassium, calcium, and fatty acids
c) Protein and fiber
d) Vitamin D and magnesium
13. How does the size of the human brain compare to other animals of similar size?
a) Human brains are around the same size as other animals.
b) Human brains are twice as large as other animals.
c) Human brains are three times larger than other animals.
d) Human brains are four times larger than other animals.
**Answers:**
1. c) Sugar
2. b) Cerebrospinal fluid
3. b) Three
4. a) Cerebrum
5. c) Heart beating and breathing
6. b) Two halves; each half controls the opposite side of the body.
7. c) Hippocampus
8. a) Light
9. d) 25%
10. c) Pituitary gland
11. b) During infancy
12. b) Potassium, calcium, and fatty acids
13. c) Human brains are three times larger than other animals.