(IMAGE) University of Montreal Caption Chewing, breathing, and other regular bodily functions that we undertake "without thinking" actually do require the involvement of our brain, but the question of how the brain programs such regular functions intrigues scientists. Arlette Kolta, a professor at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Dentistry, has shown that astrocytes play a key role. Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells in our brain. Glial cells are not neurons - they play a supporting role. Kolta's finding in fact challenges some of the beliefs scientists have about the way our brain works. Here, brain neurons are illustrated in a "brainbow." The astrocytes are not shown. Credit Courtesy Jeff Lichtman/Harvard University. Licence : CC BY NC ND 2.0. Source : https://flic.kr/p/5sEdqj Usage Restrictions Respect terms of CC licence License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.