The brain, the central organ of the nervous system, controls the voluntary and involuntary actions of the human body. Differences in brain structure and function between humans and other animals are crucial to understanding the superiority of human intelligence. (RODRIGUES, 2021)
A determining factor for this distinction is the number of neurons, cells responsible for capturing information and enabling the execution of brain tasks. The prefrontal cortex, a slower developing brain region, is significantly larger in humans and plays a fundamental role in reasoning, emotional behavior, attention control and cognitive functions. (RODRIGUES, 2021)
Furthermore, the human cerebellum, responsible for motor development and balance, is six times larger in size compared to monkeys, even though they had the same body mass. (RODRIGUES, 2021)
The organization and number of neurons in the cerebral cortex, the speed of axonal transmissions and the effectiveness of synapses are also factors that contribute to human intelligence. (RODRIGUES, 2021)
Although animals such as elephants and cetaceans have larger brains and, in some cases, more neurons than humans, the distribution and type of neuronal connections are different. In humans, the highest concentration of neurons is in the prefrontal cortex, while in elephants, for example, it is concentrated in the cerebellum. (RODRIGUES, 2021)
Therefore, intelligence is not limited to the size of the brain, but rather to the complexity of its structures, the number and location of neurons and the efficiency of synaptic connections. The study of comparative neuroscience continues to uncover the secrets of human intelligence and its evolution, paving the way for new discoveries about the functioning of the brain and its capabilities.
Reference :
RODRIGUES, Fabiano de Abreu. Difference between human and animal brain. Brazilian Journal of Development, Curitiba, v. 7, no. 7, p. 72116-72123, Jul. 2021. DOI:10.34117/bjdv7n7-405. Available at: https://www.brazilianjournals.com/index.php/BJD/article/view/31321. Accessed on: 18 Jul. 2024.
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