The functions of the brain

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Interface between body and environment

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The occurrence of the brain in some living species and not in other ones lead to the conclusion that it is not a necessity for the body to function properly as an entity. Although some of the functions which a brain provides might be necessary to enable a living creature to survive, if they are just simple mechanical, repeatable functions of a body part then they might be served of just a provision which stores exactly this functionality. But does not necessary need a brain with all the other functionalities. Only when this function need to be different when the circumstances are different and need to be adapted to the circumstances then a brain might be necessary. Depending on the complexity, size and amount of this functionalities the brain needs to be flexible too in its size.

Store

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In order to provide all the functionality which are necessary to adapt the body to its environment the brain must to be able to store all the information which it gets from the body and from the environment. Since this storage is not controlled by any other part of the body, or of just a part of the brain, it needs to be controlled by the way the brain is built.

There are two main features which indicates how the brain could work. One is that there is an existence of complementary brain parts and the other is the vast amount of neurons connected with even a greater amount of axons (connections between the neurons).

To keep track of an information stored in many neurons, which are connected with many other neurons which have nothing to do with the information, seem only possible if done sequentially. In a way which is known in computer programming as 'linked list'. Which means that every part of the information, stored in one neuron, has also an information on where to find the next part of the information. And when all the information is collected (action+circumstances) then the last neuron has the information where to find the reaction. Which is also stored as a linked list. This additional information is provided when the information is stored the first time and cannot be changed as long as the brain exists. Which would account for the amount needed of neurons and axions.

The process of recalling is necessary for many different reasons. The data can be recalled on its own or to manipulate (add, subtract, compare) another data already recalled. If it is recalled for manipulation then it, together with the other recalled data, will provide a new sequence of information which will lead to a different end-neuron which will provide the 'address' of the specific reaction to follow.

To recall information it is necessary that it is precicely known what is being looked for. In this way it can be checked that the right axions are being followed leading to the right neurons and consequently to the right information (address) stored in the last neuron. If this information is not thought after then it might be recalled to provide it for comparison.