The Brain - A Gentle Introduction Clearing Misconceptions
Valeriu Beiu
United Arab Emirates University

April 11, 2013, 1 p.m.


This presentation aims to put forward fundamental concepts about the Brain, while also trying to clarify very common and well-ingrained misconceptions. Learning, memory, and other high level functions are well beyond the scope of this presentation. We shall start by introducing the Brain as numbers, relying on the latest discoveries. Afterwards, we shall take on the many different levels of organization of the Brain one-by-one, using a bottom-up approach: ion channels, ion pumps, microtubules, neurons, glial cells (e.g., astrocytes), synapses (the gaps between neurons), columnar structures, gray and while matter. When taken together, the hierarchical organization of the Brain will start to come together. The emphasis will constantly be on introducing/grasping the fundamental "information processing" concepts, while also becoming aware of both the ultra low (but reasonably constant) power consumption of the Brain, as well as of the amazing trustworthy (i.e., reliable) and colorful wings (i.e., active dendrites) of the mysterious butterflies of the soul (i.e., neurons).



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The Brain - A Gentle Introduction Clearing Misconceptions
Valeriu Beiu
United Arab Emirates University

April 11, 2013, 1 p.m.


This presentation aims to put forward fundamental concepts about the Brain, while also trying to clarify very common and well-ingrained misconceptions. Learning, memory, and other high level functions are well beyond the scope of this presentation. We shall start by introducing the Brain as numbers, relying on the latest discoveries. Afterwards, we shall take on the many different levels of organization of the Brain one-by-one, using a bottom-up approach: ion channels, ion pumps, microtubules, neurons, glial cells (e.g., astrocytes), synapses (the gaps between neurons), columnar structures, gray and while matter. When taken together, the hierarchical organization of the Brain will start to come together. The emphasis will constantly be on introducing/grasping the fundamental "information processing" concepts, while also becoming aware of both the ultra low (but reasonably constant) power consumption of the Brain, as well as of the amazing trustworthy (i.e., reliable) and colorful wings (i.e., active dendrites) of the mysterious butterflies of the soul (i.e., neurons).



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