Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 11/8/2007

Question
1. How do the human brain function?  
2. How does we remember things and how do we forget things?  3. Are things learned by the brain or some things doesn't need to be learn.

Answer
Dear Henry,

This question is so involved and complex that it would take an entire textbook to explain, and it's far too much for email.  For a brief overview, check out the entry at our old pal, Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_brain

and a more detailed entry:

http://www.onelife.com/evolve/brain.html

But if you want a more in-depth coverage of brain function, you'll need to first take a course in General Biology, and then another one in neuroscience.  It's just too huge a topic to answer in a forum like this.

Your third question is within the realm of short answer, though.  Humans are among the most "plastic" of animals in terms of learning behavior, but we do have some instincts that are already "hardwired" into the brain, such as the instinct to eat, drink, have sex, etc.

We even have more complex instincts, but even those are only now starting to be studied and understood.

Sorry I can't give you a more complete answer, but I hope those references will help get you started.

Dana