2

Bioinformatics of the Brain

FIGURE 1.1

A. Main parts of the brain B. Lobes of the brain C. A neuron and its

parts. The figure was partly generated using Servier Medical Art, provided

by Servier, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 unported

license.

1.1

Introduction

The most intricate organ in the body, the brain, is essential for maintaining

and regulating bodily functions. There are three main parts of the brain:

cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem (Figure 1.1A). It has a volume of about

1370 ml, is approximately 1400–1500 grams, made up of more than 100 billion

nerves, and can accommodate around 2.5 million gigabytes of memory [1].

The brain is responsible for mental functions such as thinking, produc-

ing, and learning, as well as the harmonious functioning of all vital functions

such as walking, breathing, and sweating. As a part of the CNS, it transmits

signals through nerve cells to the spinal cord and throughout the body. Ad-

ditionally, the control of all voluntary and involuntary movements, reactions

and thoughts are shaped in the brain. The biological elements that are deci-

sive in this control process are directly related to the physical structure of the

brain stemming from its chemistry. Therefore, parts of the brain, their struc-

ture, and functions need to be well understood to comprehend brain function

and development [1, 2].