Neuroscience is a diverse field that studies the nervous system and its functions. It includes psychology, computer science, and neurosurgery. The field has advanced with technology, such as MRI machines, and continues to explore the complexities of the nervous system. The nervous system is divided into the central and peripheral systems, and neuroscientists study all aspects of it, including healthy and pathological states. Neuroscience also intersects with other fields, such as psychology and engineering, to explore human behavior and create prosthetics that respond to nervous system signals.
Neuroscience is a broad field of study that includes the functioning of the nervous system. People interested in neuroscience can work in a range of fields, from psychology to computer science. Numerous educational institutions around the world offer neuroscience training, often with a specific slant or focus. Many of these institutions also conduct cutting-edge research that probes the workings of the human mind in an effort to learn more about people and the ways they interact with the world.
As a scientific discipline, neuroscience really came into its own in the mid-20th century, as technology began to emerge that could illuminate the workings of the nervous system. Until the development of equipment such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, the brain was a black box; scientists would input information and the brain could output information, but no one knew what went on inside. Developments in fields such as molecular biology and computer science have further enhanced this field, providing more information and tools to work with.
The nervous system can be divided into two main parts. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system includes the extensive network of nerve cells in every other part of the body. Many structures are included in the nervous system, from basic neurons to glial cells, and their interactions are extraordinarily complex. The human nervous system is constantly at work transmitting and receiving information, and the survival of an individual organism relies on a functioning nervous system.
Neuroscientists examine all aspects of the nervous system; they study the biochemical signals transmitted by nerves, the effects of various substances on the nervous system, the evolutionary development of the nervous system and many other things. Some focus on healthy nervous systems, while others study pathology, examining what causes nervous system failure and how nervous system diseases can be prevented or treated.
Psychologists and psychiatrists look at how the nervous system affects human behavior, focusing on the brain and the ways it processes information. Computer scientists and engineers model artificial neural networks for processing on the biological network in the body and experiment with things like creating prosthetic limbs that can actually respond to signals from the nervous system, making them functional for their users. Neurosurgeons perform delicate surgical procedures on the brain, while other neuroscience specialists observe how people learn, think, acquire languages, and perform tasks ranging from remembering to breathing to composing symphonies.
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