Neurons and Neural Connections

In a more in-depth study of the internal structure of the brain, which is mainly made up of billions of interacting neurons or nerve cells.

The picture below shows the structure of a typical neuron in our brain, a type of cell that store and share information.

figure1.1

When two or more neurons connect, information is passed and learning takes place. The next diagram in figure 1.2 shows the connections of multiple neurons.

figure 1.2

The brain researchers found that from zero to six years old, there is a huge proliferation or growth in the number of new neural connections in kids’ brains. They called this process synaptogenesis, or the creation of connections.

Before ten years old, kids’ brains have more neural connections in their brains than they will ever have again for the rest of their lives.

Then, from approximately 10 to 20 years old, the number of connections in the kids’ brains reduce until they reach a number which will remain basically stable for the rest of their lives. Scientists called this process neural pruning.

Every time a neural connection is activated, human’s brain coats that connection with a white fatty substance called myelin, which acts as insulation, allowing electrical signals to travel more efficiently down the myelinated connection. This process is called myelination.

The myelinated connections become the "paths of least resistance" in the brain for the particular behavior or mental processes to which they are related, which explains why "habits die hard".

Through constant use, some behaviors tend to be ignored by the brain’s processing routines. This procedure repeated in different areas of behavior and experience is believed to create mindset.

Scientists concluded that the brain cells are like muscles. Brain exercises are helpful to the development of the neuron. A child becomes more intelligent when the brain cells are well exercised because the neurons are extended. It helps to Improves concntration、memory、creativity、perceptivity、talents，and emotional stability，balance hormone，rebuilt character and etc.