World of neuroscience - Essay Example

World of Neuroscience The subheading ‘A Computer in Your Head?’ within the neuroscience website was examined. As the indicates, this section draws a comparison between the human brain and a computer. From an overarching perspective one recognizes that there is considerable complexity to both entities, such that millions of components interact to establish meaningful connections or movements. The section considers many other ways that the brain and the computer are similar. One such reason is that both objects require energy.

The brain requires blood, oxygen and food, while a computer requires an electrical power outlet. This consideration of the importance of energy to both systems is highly notable. In this way the fundamental ways these systems operate is through an outside force. Another more interesting similarity is that both objects function by sending electrical signals through systematic components as a means of operating. The main difference is that while a brain implements synapses to send information, computers implement electric circuits.

This similarity between When I reflect on the human brain I recognize that its complexity is much greater than even that of the computer, as the human brain is so complex that humans can still not fully understand it. While the essay makes many similarities between a computer and a brain there is the consideration that in some instances these connections are tenuous at best. For instance, when indicating the way the systems operate it argues they both use electrical energy. Still, there is considerable difference between these forms of electrical energy, such that the extent that they are truly a similarity is somewhat doubtful.

Instead the author’s seem to mean that there are different areas that function at different periods of time. In other ways the article raises more notable similarities. One interesting notion is the recognition that a computer is able to regulate systematic components surrounding it, just as a brain regulated different areas of the body. Another notable entity is that both the brain and the computer have an encased shell. In this way there is the recognition that the parts inside these things are necessarily softer in structure, potentially because of their function.

In addition to the above mentioned considerations, the article leads one to reflect on the future potentials of neuroscience. One considers if it may one day be possible to increasingly fuse the human brain and the computer. While currently the human brain is at a level of complexity that greatly outweighs the computer, every year computers increasing in complexity. Additionally, every year scientists learn more about how the brain functions. It seems reasonable then that eventually scientists and engineers will be able to construct replica portions of the brain.

An even more startling realization gained from this section was the thought of consciousness, as embedded in the brain. It seems then that computers will increasingly approach the threshold of consciousness or even a ‘soul’. ReferencesChudler, Eric. "A computer in your head." washington.edu.N.p., 2001. Web. 7 Oct 2012. .