• Question: are rats and mice brains the same to humans?

    Asked by Evelyn to Robert, Ross on 13 Nov 2015. This question was also asked by S Bobs.
    • Photo: Robert Lees

      Robert Lees answered on 13 Nov 2015:

      Rat and mice brains have the same structure and connect in the same way as human brains do, but they have a smaller outer layer (neocortex – neo= ‘new’ and cortex= ‘outer’) than we have. So they can’t do complex thoughts. The way each brain cell works in mice and rats is VERY similar to humans, which is why I study them. I also study them because we are not allowed to do work on humans, it is not ethical.

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