In Depth: Brain

Much of the brain's physiological task involves receiving information from the rest of the
body, interpreting that information, and then guiding the body's response to it. Types of input
the brain interprets include odors, light, sounds, and pain. The brain also helps perform vital
operations such as breathing, maintaining blood pressure, and releasing hormones (chemical
signals that control certain cells and organs).
The brain is divided into sections. These sections include the cerebrum, the cerebellum,
the diencephalon, and the brainstem.
Each of these parts is responsible for certain portions of the brain's overall job. The larger
parts are, in turn, divided into smaller areas that handle smaller portions of the work.
Different areas often share responsibility for the same task.
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is responsible for memory, speech, the
senses, emotional response, and more. It is divided into several sections called lobes. These
lobes are referred to as the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital; each handles a specific
segment of the cerebrum's jobs.
The cerebellum is below and behind the cerebrum and is attached to the brain stem. It
controls motor function, the body's ability to balance, and its ability to interpret information
sent to the brain by the eyes, ears, and other sensory organs.
The functions the brain stem governs include respiration, blood pressure, some reflexes, and
the changes that happen in the body during what is called the fight or flight response. The
brain stem is also divided into several distinct sections: the midbrain, pons, and medulla
oblongata.
The diencephalon is inside the cerebrum above the brain stem. Its tasks include sensory
function, food intake control, and the body's sleep cycle. As with the other parts of the brain,
it is divided into sections. These include the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.
The brain is protected from damage by several layers of defenses. Outermost are the bones
of the skull. Beneath the skull are the meninges, a series of sturdy membranes that surround
the brain and spinal cord. Inside the meninges, the brain is cushioned by fluid.
Still, the brain can suffer damage, become diseased, or malfunction. These problems may
include cancer, physical injuries such as skull fractures, and ruptures of blood vessels that
supply the brain.

In Depth: Kidney

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that extract waste from
blood, balance body fluids, form urine, and aid in other important
functions of the body.
They reside against the back muscles in the upper abdominal cavity.
They sit opposite each other on either side of the spine. The right
kidney sits a little bit lower than the left to accommodate the liver.

When it comes to components of the urinary system, the kidneys are

multi-functional powerhouses of activity. Some of the core actions of
the kidneys include:

Waste excretion: There are many things your body doesnt

want inside of it. The kidneys filter out toxins, excess salts,
and urea, a nitrogen-based waste created by cell metabolism.
Urea is synthesized in the liver and transported through the blood
to the kidneys for removal.

Water level balancing: As the kidneys are key in the chemical

breakdown of urine, they react to changes in the bodys water
level throughout the day. As water intake decreases, the kidneys
adjust accordingly and leave water in the body instead of helping
excrete it.

Blood pressure regulation: The kidneys need constant

pressure to filter the blood. When it drops too low, the kidneys
increase the pressure. One way is by producing a blood vesselconstricting protein (angiotensin) that also signals the body to
retain sodium and water. Both the constriction and retention help
restore normal blood pressure.

Red blood cell regulation: When the kidneys dont get

enough oxygen, they send out a distress call in the form
of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to
produce more oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

Acid regulation: As cells metabolize, they produce acids.

Foods we eat can either increase the acid in our body or neutralize
it. If the body is to function properly, it needs to keep a healthy
balance of these chemicals. The kidneys do that, too.
Most people are born with two kidneys, but many people can live on
just one. Kidney transplant surgeries with live donors are common
medical procedures today.
Because of all of the vital functions the kidneys perform and the
toxins they encounter, the kidneys are susceptible to various
problems.
Acute kidney failure is a condition in which the kidneys suddenly
lose their ability to function properly. This can occur for many
reasons, including:

Infection
Blood-clotting disorders
Decreased blood flow caused by low blood pressure
Autoimmune kidney disorders
Urinary tract infections
Complications from pregnancy
Dehydration