cerebros

Cerebros is the plural form of cerebro in Spanish and Portuguese, used to refer to brains in general. In English, it is translated as brains. The brain is the central organ of the vertebrate nervous system, coordinating sensation, movement, cognition, and emotion.

Anatomy: The brain comprises the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem. The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres and includes the cerebral cortex, which has frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. Gray matter forms the cortex and deeper nuclei; white matter consists of myelinated tracts connecting regions. The limbic system, including the hippocampus and amygdala, supports memory and emotion. The brainstem regulates basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Development and energy: In humans, the brain weighs about 1.3–1.4 kilograms and consumes roughly 20% of resting metabolic energy, about 20 watts. It develops rapidly in early life, and synaptic pruning along with lifelong plasticity enable learning and adaptation.

Function and variation: It integrates sensory input, plans and executes movements, and supports language, thought, memory, and behavior. Brain size and structure vary across species, with the neocortex particularly expanded in primates and other mammals. The encephalization quotient provides a rough comparative measure of relative brain size.

Clinical relevance: The brain is susceptible to injury and disease, including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy. Research aims to map brain function and connectivity, understand development and aging, and develop strategies for repair and treatment.