The human brain is a pretty amazing thing. It controls automatic processes (like your heartbeat), conscious processes (such as picking up a cup to drink), as well as those processes in between (breathing). It’s a pretty remarkable organ. Did you know that about 20% of your body’s blood goes to your brain?
Maintaining brain function, like with all living tissues, relies on the supply of oxygen from blood. The brain receives between 15-20% of blood from the heart at rest – but many factors can effect this, including age, gender, and weight. For the average male, around 70 millilitres of blood pump round the body per heartbeat. Therefore, approximately 14 millilitres are delivered to the brain per heartbeat, which is essential for getting oxygen to the brain cells.
Check out four more interesting facts about your brain at Neuroscience News.
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