4 Interesting Facts About Your Body You Need to Know

Everyone fell asleep in Biology class at one point. However, there’s way more to life sciences than what mitochondria do for cells! The fascinating field explains and questions how living things work, and unless AI has progressed even further, you reading this are a living thing yourself.

Whether you’re a student, a scientist, or simply someone with a curiosity for the natural world, there’s no denying that life sciences are incredibly fascinating and vital fields of study. In this blog post, we’ll look at four facts you might not know about… well… you!

The Human Body is a Microbial Haven.

You might be tempted to believe that your body is just one organism. However, there are around 33 TRILLION bacteria in your body that help you live every single day. Some scientists say that if all the “human” cells in your body suddenly disappeared, a silhouette of microorganisms would be left behind. It seems gross at first, but it’s actually a good thing! The bacteria in your body aren’t parasites. If you’ve ever seen “probiotic” drinks in your local grocery store or diets to help with gut help, those drinks help develop the bacteria in your gut to digest your food better.

The Brain is More Malleable Than We Thought.

The human brain is one of the most complex and mysterious organs, and scientists have been studying it for centuries. One of the most recent discoveries in this field is the brain’s malleability, also known as “neuroplasticity.” It means the brain can reorganize itself and form new connections in response to new experiences. This truly fascinating aspect of life sciences has major implications for our understanding of learning and memory.

One study showed that neuroplasticity could replace entire missing portions of your brain. Some of those who have had lobes removed due to accidents or disorders can still function in everyday life! For such a precious part of your body, it’s no wonder it has ways to keep itself together.

The Human Genome is Not as Complex as We Thought.

As explained by Joe Sitt, the data processing of the research in the Human Genome Project has revealed much about what happens in our bodies genetically. One of the most fascinating facts about life sciences is that the human genome is not as complex as we once thought. In the past, scientists believed that the human genome was made up of around 100,000 genes, but recent research has revealed that this number is closer to 20,000-25,000. In fact, human DNA has only twice as many genes as your average fruit fly or worm. Weird, right?

Evolution is Still Ongoing.

Many people think of evolution as something that happened in the distant past, but evolution is still ongoing. From the smallest microorganisms to the largest animals to humans, all living organisms are constantly evolving in response to changing environmental conditions. Humans are still evolving, even if it seems like we aren’t. For example, blue eyes are only about 7,000 years old, according to some scientists. “Neutral evolution” is evolution that doesn’t rely on the natural selection of the animal kingdom, and it’s what’s affecting humans right now. For all you know, one of the genes in your body might only have existed for a few decades!

Conclusion

Life sciences is a vast and fascinating field that delves into the secrets of living organisms and the processes that govern them. From the human body’s microbial haven to the brain’s malleability, the facts and discoveries in this field are genuinely mind-blowing. It’s a discipline that touches every aspect of our lives and is an essential field of study for understanding the world around us and, more importantly, us! Hopefully, these four facts made you more interested in your own body and how complex it is under the surface.