Submitted by Parking_Tale7916 t3_10pykw6 in explainlikeimfive
What processes in the body does the brain control?
Comments
CyraFen t1_j6mtnuc wrote
all voluntary and sensory abilities are controlled and/or processed by the brain, as well as certain involuntary actions like consciousness, sleep, and breathing. because of the last bit, technically everything needs the brain because breathing provides oxygen, which is needed to produce energy for all cells to function.
certain involuntary actions don't necessarily require the brain though, like the beating of your heart, which has its own electrical system that lets it keep beating without input from the brain. however, the brain does regulate and modify it when necessary, like when you're scared and your heart rate goes up. there's probably a few more that i can't think of off the top of my head, but short answer is pretty much everything.
Lithuim t1_j6mxsex wrote
A lot of the digestive system is also automated, although it too can be overruled by the brain.
GalFisk t1_j6n0iwv wrote
Reflexes are controlled by local nerves and muscles. Some biochemistry is controlled by hormones made by glands, which affect how cells behave. Some is controlled only by the cells themselves.
Instincts, emotions, thoughts, memory, muscle memory, all voluntary movement is controlled by the brain.
Head_Improvement_340 t1_j6n0tpl wrote
Pretty much all of them?
Parking_Tale7916 OP t1_j6n294k wrote
Like which ones?
[deleted] t1_j6n1fbs wrote
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Parking_Tale7916 OP t1_j6n1npv wrote
Doesn't the brain control chemicals and or have chemicals in it?
toby1jabroni t1_j6n2n1h wrote
Yes, as I said chemical processes governed solely by the laws of physics might still work but thats going to happen the same whether you’re alive or dead.
Parking_Tale7916 OP t1_j6n51np wrote
Doesn't the brain release chemicals to control organs? Sorry i don't understand these chemical processes your speaking about?
toby1jabroni t1_j6nbq9z wrote
There aren’t really any useful ones I can think of which is probably why you can’t either, but I was trying to cover all bases so some snarky redditor wouldn’t be able to catch me out with a “well what about such-and-such”.
[deleted] t1_j6nhvus wrote
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Cheap_Application_55 t1_j6nj2oi wrote
All of them. The brain receives information from other parts of the body, and decides how to react.
FruitbatNT t1_j6ms3og wrote
Pretty much everything. Our body is just a big floppy meat suit without a brain to act as puppet master.