Curiosity
The brain uses about 20% of the body's energy
At only 2% of body weight, the brain is one of the hungriest organs in the body — and proteins are what make the numbers add up.
Although it makes up about 2% of an adult's body mass, the brain consumes roughly 20% of the energy the body uses at rest.
Much of this energy goes into maintaining ion differences between the inside and outside of neurons — which is what allows them to fire signals. Ion pumps, glucose transporters and mitochondrial enzymes are key proteins in this work.
Changes in brain energy metabolism are studied in disorders such as schizophrenia and depression, including with proteomics techniques.
