4.8 Brain – fact or fiction?

Fact or Fiction 1? The total surface area of the human cerebral cortex is about 2,500 square centimetres.

Fact or Fiction 2? The brain receives about 20% of the blood flow from the heart.

Fact or Fiction 3? A bigger brain means you are more intelligent.

Fact or Fiction 4? We only use 10% of our brains.

Fact or Fiction 5? Poverty changes the brain.

Fact or Fiction 6? We are born with all the brain cells we will ever have.

Fact or Fiction 7? The human brain accounts for 8% of total body mass.

Fact or Fiction 8? Your brain uses less power than a fridge bulb.

Fact or Fiction 9? Our brains form a million new connections every second.

Fact or Fiction 10? The world’s largest brain bank is at Harvard and houses 1000 brains!

Now for the answers …

Fact or Fiction 1? The total surface area of the human cerebral cortex is about 2,500 square centimetres. Fact

Fact or Fiction 2? The Brain receives about 20% of the blood flow from the heart. True

Fact or Fiction 3? A bigger brain means you are more intelligent. Fiction! Einstein’s brain was actually much lighter than the average at 1.4 kg.

Fact or Fiction 4? We only use 10% of our brains. Fiction – a popular myth but this would not make evolutionary sense for a start as it uses up 25% of our energy.

Fact or Fiction 5? Poverty changes the brain. Fact – it does actually. Evans and Schamberg (2009) found that children who grew up in poverty had reduced working memory capacity. It is suggested that the impact of stress is the cause.

Fact or Fiction 6? We are born with all the brain cells we will ever have. Fiction – a few are produced shortly after birth. But anyway 85000 neurons die every day.

Fact or Fiction 7? The human brain accounts for 8% of total body mass. Fiction – only 2% actually.

Fact or Fiction 8? Your brain uses less power than a fridge bulb. Fact – this one is true – about 12 watts.

Fact or Fiction 9? Our brains form a million new connections every second. Fact – no wonder it needs all that energy.

Fact or Fiction 10? The world’s largest brain bank is at Harvard and houses 1000 brains! Fiction – well, half and half, Harvard actually houses 7000 brains!