The body is essentially the powerhouse of the brain right?

[FreeWill]

The body is essentially the powerhouse of the brain right? Do you think we could use robotic- non-biological- bodies to power our brains? Because I keep on hearing about how people can have electrodes implanted in their brain that will allow them to see and hear and feel etc. And I read somewhere that they could make artifical organs and stuff

 

[JamesU]

I don't know exactly what you mean by the body powers the brain. If you meant each indavidual cell in the body powers the rest then yes.

Yes there are artificial organs, hearts legs, arms, hands, etc.

 

[FreeWill]

What I mean is do you think we could make ourselves completely non-biological entities except for our brains? Do you think we could live inside robotic bodies? (Although we'd still need blood cells and stuff I guess)

 

[DocToxyn]

I can understand why you would term the body simply a machine that allows our brain to "go about its business". The brain by weight is a small percentage of the body as a whole, but consumes a considerable amount of oxygen and nutrients, thus it seems that every other organ is "working for" the brain. As to your question, while I can't rule out the possibility that at some point in the future this will be possible, at our current state of technology we cannot support the brain outside of the body. The view that is put forth in the beginning of this reply is really an oversimplification since the brain interacts with the body on many levels and requires feedback (endocrine signals for example) beyond simple life requirements like oxygen and nutrients.

 

[whozum]

What is the simplest most degenerated state of body that one can survive? AKA what is the smallest systemal unit of body that can still be called alive.

 

[Monique]

Cells are the smallest units of the body that can be called alive. You need all your organs in order to be able to sustain your health.

 

[whozum]

Well for example the gall bladder (i think its that one) is expendable.. I am sure there's some more, right?

 

[Monique]

That's true. And your heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, gastro-intestinal tract could all be replaced by technology in the future. You'd also have to take care of the immune response: the thymus, bone marrow, spleen and lymph node organs have important roles.