Exploring the Nervous System: From Neurons to Neurogenesis

The nervous system, our body's electrical wiring, has two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS) including the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Neurons communicate via synapses, where neurotransmitters are released. Surprisingly, the process is electrical, then chemical, and back to electrical, allowing signals to travel quickly and efficiently across the nervous system.

Brain plasticity, or neuroplasticity, is the brain's ability to reorganize itself. Even after injury, the brain can often reroute functions to undamaged areas, a process that continues throughout life, not just in childhood as once thought.

The two cerebral hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum, a bundle of nerve fibers. Each hemisphere processes different types of cognition, yet they are not as specialized as the popular 'left-brain, right-brain' myth suggests.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selective membrane that shields the brain from harmful substances in the blood. Surprisingly, it also poses challenges for delivering medications to the brain, requiring innovative pharmaceutical approaches.

Contrary to past beliefs, adults can grow new neurons, a process called neurogenesis. This occurs in the hippocampus, and is involved in learning and memory. Factors like exercise, sleep, and diet can influence neurogenesis rates.

Glia, once thought to merely support neurons, are now known to be crucial for brain function. They regulate neurotransmitters, maintain homeostasis, and provide myelin. Glial cells outnumber neurons in the brain.