Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: ukmicky on 01/10/2005 16:24:05
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our bodies are ran via a combination of electrical and chemical processes.
but how do our bodies generate electricity. and how powerful is its charge.
(CYBORGS) Could are bodies eletrical charge be used to power or control tiny implanted electrical devices for instance.
Michael (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi11.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa186%2Fukmicky%2Frofl.gif&hash=481319b762ee9d57cda15e90d2e83ee6)
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Your brain is burning up enough energy to power a 40W light bulb.
(I base my estimation on the fact that the average human burns energy at the rate of 2W/kg and hence consumes 150W. The brain accounts for up to 25% of the body's oxygen consumption and hence must account for upto 25% of the body's energy consumption. 25% of 150W is about 40W.)
The nervous system is powered electrically and you can demonstrate this by stimulating the brain using a magnet (which induces electrical currents in nerve cells), or directly with an electrified probe.
The electrical activity of nerve cells is achieved by pumping positively charged particles, referred to as ions, out of the cell, leaving the inside of the cell with a net negative charge.
When the cell becomes active, for instance to relay a message telling you to move your left thumb, channels embedded in the cell membrane open up to allow the positive ions outside to flood in and trigger the cell. This process is known as depolarisation.
It's very energy-hungry, which is why the brain burns off so many of the calories you eat each day.
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx