• Question: How many parts are there in a mouse brain, how many mouse brains have you tested?

    Asked by Lovebird26 to Robert on 10 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Robert Lees

      Robert Lees answered on 10 Nov 2015:

      You can split a mouse brain up in to as many parts as you like! Like our brains, the mouse’s brain is split in to different functional areas (visual, motor, hippocampus and more!), and then these areas can be split in to smaller regions and eventually down to individual cells that have specific functions! It is all connected together so that regions that need to talk to each other can.

      For example, the hippocampus is a seahorse-shaped part of the brain running through the centre that (among other things) allows you to know where you are in space. The hippocampus contains lots of different types of cells, like place cells, which are activated when you are in a specific place.

      Imagine, on your way to school, you walk through the school entrance, your place cell for that position is activated and helps you know where you are.

      In all I’ve probably looked in to the brains of 12 mice to see what is going on! Really weird, but also super cool! 😀

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