Brain Capacity?

[David Goble]

>From: ak057 at chebucto.ns.ca (Shane Markle)
>Subject: Brain Capacity?
>Date: 10 Mar 1997 03:08:42 GMT
>
>
>I recently heard of a calculation of the general amount of information 
>stored in a human brain, represented in bits, and need to know what that 
>capacity is.  If anyone has the figures, would they please email them to 
>me at aa642 at torfree.net?  It's needed to settle an argument/discussion.  
>Thank you in advance.
>
Hi Shane;

	Here is a Exerise question and its answer (Structured Computer
Organization 3rd, Prentice Hall Internation editions, Andrew s.
Tanenbaum)

Chapter 2. Exreise 5. page 73

Q5.	Estimate the maxium storage capacity of the human brain using
the following assumptions. All memory is coded as DNA molecules. A DNA
molecule is a linear sequence of the four basic nucleotides: A, C, G,
and T. From the average weight of a nucleotide, roughly 10^-20 grams
and an average brain weight of 1500 grams, deduce the bit capacity of
the brain for this encoding form. Note: This calculation is only an
upper limit, because the brain contains many more cells that perform
functions other than memory.

A5. (Total weight of brain / Total weight of nucleotide) * No. of Bits
	1500                  /         10^-20                      ) * 4
		     1.5e+023                                      * 4
				= 6.e+023
				
Thanks from :
                  goble at kigateway.eastend.com.au
                 http://www.eastend.com.au/~goble
            degob1 at mugc.cc.monash.ed.au ( David Goble )
           American Beach Kangaroo Island South Australia