7.3: STAGES OF NEURONAL DEVELOPMENT Flashcards
The fundamental units in the brain that transfer information from the brain to the rest of the body.
Neurons
Non-neuronal cells that support and insulate neurons. Important for supporting typical brain function and protecting neurons.
Glial cells
The mass production of cells. Most prominent during early embryonic development.
Neural proliferation
The process by which new neurons are formed in the brain.
Neurogenesis
Self-renewing cells that ultimately generate neurons or glial cells, which give rise to the entire nervous system.
Neural stem cells
A long threadlike part of a neuron that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body and to other neurons
Axons
A branch-like structure of the neuron that extends from the cell body.
Dendrites
The most common mode of neuronal migration in which neurons migrate in a radial pattern to ultimately establish the different layers of the cortex.
Radial migration
Another mode of neuronal migration in which neurons migrate tangentially and may emerge as a result of interactions with axons, astrocytes, or independent of interactions with other cells. Does not rely on glial cells for migration.
Tangential migration
Specialized junction through which neural signals are transmitted between neurons.
Synapses
The stage of neuronal development after migration where different classes of neurons coalesce to form different nervous system structures.
Aggregation
A subset of cell surface molecules that are involved in the binding of cells with other cells.
Cell-adhesion molecules
A type of cell junction in which neighboring cells are connected through intercellular channels. Also facilitates the transfer of molecules directly from the cytoplasm of one cell to another cell
Gap junction
The process of programmed cell death to eliminate unwanted cells.
Apoptosis
A form of cell injury which results in premature, unprogrammed cell death due to environmental factors such as injury or disease.
Nacrosis
