What makes us human?

Have you ever pondered this question:' What makes us Human?' 

I would try to answer it now from what I have learnt. The answer is, according to me, Prefrontal Cortex. Simple.

Now, we know that our body organs, physically are similar to those found in other animals. Our muscles operate in a fashion similar to that of animals. So physically, we are almost like a rat, or a cow, or a baboon. So what sets us apart? You got it right, The brain, and a particular part of it, the Prefrontal Cortex.

The brain is what makes us a tad bit different from rest of the occupants of the Blue marble. 

What does this Prefrontal Cortex do?

In layman's terms, it governs most of the feelings that you express. It helps us to wait for reward. Setting of goals and working to achieve them are the job of this little part of brain. Feelings and emotions are partly controlled by this part of the brain.

While other animals do things solely for instant gratification, we humans can think in greater detail. We can analyse past, present and future and decide our next actions accordingly. This is the ability that enables us to choose partners, to stop us from using inappropriate thoughts, actions, feelings. It helps chalk out a plan, a sort of mental map, using factors not currently relevant, in other words, plan for future. It sets aims, motivates us, and oversees that we do not harm ourselves, like some sort of personal executive. Now you would understand when a friend asks you to think it through.

Other animals too have a brain that is similar to human, but with a slight difference. And, clearly enough, they have underdeveloped prefrontal cortex.

Our brain has become triple compared to our ancestors 5 million years ago. And our Prefrontal cortex has grown over 6 times during that period. This is the magic of evolution and Darwin's theories.

And now I would like to point out that in certain situation, we act like animals. That is because during times of stress, or under influence of certain chemicals, the prefrontal cortex fails to work as it should. During stress, brain falls back to its 'default' setting. Rather than thinking over the situation and then acting, during which you might get hurt, the brain shuts down higher order thinking and concentrates on imminent problem. In such a condition, people do what would later prove as bad moves.

It could possibly explain why people babble when facing a large audience for first time. Their stressed out brains simply shut down those parts of brain which created that speech in the first place. This theory could easily be extended to other areas...