Page 80 - BBC Focus - August 2017

Sorry, but we’re
about to get very How we talk in our h ?
creepy in the
name of science… BOB LADENDORF, US

Talking in our heads is referred to by psychologists
as ‘inner speech’. It involves some similar processes
to ‘overt’ speech – it recruits brain regions involved
in language, such as the Broca’s and Wernicke’s
areas, and is even accompanied by minute muscle
movements in the larynx. However, there are notable
differences too, with brain areas useful in inhibiting
overt speech playing a greater role in inner speech.
The exact brain mechanisms involved may come
down to why we are talking in our heads in the first
place. For example, when we read a book, brain
regions involved in attention may be more active
than when we are mentally preparing for a race. AGr

How many organs could
How do household cleaning
you lose and still live? products affect the
environment?
ALICIA JONES, MAIDSTONE
AMY RHYS-DAVIES, CAMBRIDGE
You can still have a fairly surgeons could amputate all
normal life without one of of your limbs, and remove Even after passing through water treatment
your lungs, a kidney, your your eyes, nose, ears, plants, small quantities of chemical compounds
spleen, appendix, gall bladder, larynx, tongue, lower spine from cleaning products can find their way into
adenoids, tonsils, plus some of and rectum. Supported by rivers, ponds and lakes and have adverse effects
your lymph nodes, the fibula machines in an intensive care on aquatic life. Phosphates in laundry and
bones from each leg and six of unit, they could also take away dishwasher detergent have a fertilising effect,
your ribs. Losing your uterus, your skull, heart and your triggering the widespread growth of algae that
ovaries and breasts, or your remaining lung, at least for a saps away the water’s oxygen, reducing
testicles and prostate, is also short while. biodiversity. By reducing water tension,
quite survivable, although you This adds up to a surfactants allow other pollutants in water bodies
might need hormone therapy theoretically survivable loss to be absorbed more easily by plants and animals.
to avoid other long-term of around 45 per cent of your Many other compounds can be toxic to wildlife,
problems, such as total body mass. But any or affect growth and reproduction, for instance
brittle bones. trauma that destroyed all by mimicking the effects of hormones in
If you allow yourself these organs all at once would mammals and fish. AFC
artificial replacements and almost certainly kill you from
medication, we can go further shock and blood loss. And
and remove your stomach, surgically removing them one
colon, pancreas, salivary at a time over many months
glands, thyroid, bladder and would likely also be fatal, due
your other kidney. Still not to infections in your immune-
enough for you? Theoretically, compromised state. LV

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