79. Brain Asymmetry!

At the first glance, the human brain appears to be perfectly symmetrical, with its two hemispheres forming mirror image of each other. Closer scrutiny reveals that the brain is lop sided, both in its structure and its function. The left hemisphere is slightly larger than the right and is connected differently.

The Split brain pattern allows several different operations to take place at the same time. Our ability to do multiple tasks is due to the hemispherical design of the brain. The Dual Core Processor of the modern computers is similar to the two hemispheres of the brain.

Asymmetry is absolutely essential in order to do even simple tasks we take for granted. When we talk, the left hemisphere processes the verbal language and the right hemisphere interprets the tone.

When we imagine a scene, the left hemisphere provides all the details and the right hemisphere handles their shapes, sizes and locations and fit them in correctly. Unless both the hemisphere work together, we can never be as efficient as we are now.

Working together or Synchronization of the hemispheres does not mean that both the halves process the information in the same way. In a normal brain, the two halves can communicate freely and fluently and work closely, with out dominating each other.

Right handed people have dominant left hemisphere and vice versa. Both the hemispheres have to work in unison for a smooth and successful performance. One half overly dominating the other is a bad thing.

In some rare cases, the connection between two halves of the brain is severed by Lobotomy. The behavior of these ‘split-brain-persons’ becomes very weird.

Damage to the right side of the brain makes a person indifferent and uncaring. The damage to the left side of the brain leaves a person depressed and speechless.

Human brain is indeed an incredibly complex organ with billions of cells and the working of these cells is yet to be fully understood.

Visalakshi Ramani