What is the brain made of?
The brain is made up of three main parts- the cerebrum, which is divided into two chambers and controls speech, emotions, intelligence, and more; the cerebellum, which controls movements and coordination; and the brain stem that connects the brain to the spinal cord.
The brain also has two smaller parts called the diencephalon, which transmits sensory information, and the pituitary gland, which controls the release of hormones in the body.
The brain is composed of 60% fat and the rest is a protein with some muscle tissue in the blood vessels that supply the brain. The protein element in the brain is found in the neurons. There are approximately 86 billion neurons in the brain.
What are the different kinds of bones in the human body?
Sesamoid bones include those that are found in the hands, knees, and feet. These bones protect the tendons from damage and wear and tear, for example, the kneecap.
Irregular bones have different shapes. Some could be long whereas others could be curved. Their main function is to protect organs, for example, the bones of the spinal cord.
Flat bones are shield-like and are often seen with muscles attached to them, like the pelvic bones.
Long bones support weight and movement and are seen in the arms and legs.
Short bones are always cuboid in shape, for example, the bones in our wrists. They help with movement and provide stability.
How big is the human heart?
The heart weight is approximately 5% of the total body weight. However, the heart grows to match the amount of work it has to do. A foetal heart, or the heart of an unborn baby, is very different from that of a baby and an adult.
How does exercise help improve digestion?
Certain kinds of exercises are good for the digestive system as they help reduce problems like flatulence (gassiness) and acidity. Walking is an especially good exercise to help clear out waste material from the digestive system.
A raised heart rate, which follows exercise, also makes the intestine function more effectively, thus improving digestion.
Yoga is another form of exercise that helps with digestion and clearing waste from the body. In certain yoga asanas and poses, the liver is twisted.
This twisting squeezes the liver and detoxifies it. Aerobic exercises that improve breathing also bring more enzymes to the digestive system, thus helping in the digestion of food.
Why do people get kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that can occur in the kidneys. In most cases, they are really small and flush out of the system without causing any harm.
But if the stone is big, it can get stuck in the urinary system, causing immense pain. Typically, kidney stones that are smaller than 5mm are not likely to pass through the urinary system on their own, without requiring medical intervention.
The main job of the kidneys is to convert bodily wastes into the urine. Kidney stones are formed when waste products do not get exerted as there isn’t enough fluid in the body.
Kidney stones are of many types- some are caused due to excessive uric acid in the body, others due to calcium and some due to magnesium and ammonia. The best way to avoid these painful stones is to drink at least 3 liters of water a day and eat a balanced diet.