8- How does the Brain Develop as an Organ?

Question 1

When does life start?

Answer 1

At conception- when the sperm meets the egg

Question 2

When is gestation?

Answer 2

From conception until birth

Question 3

How long is human gestation?

Answer 3

9 months long (normally)

Question 4

Why is the first couple of weeks of gestation a critical period?

Answer 4

Because stem cells begin to differentiate into different types of organs or tissues

Question 5

What DNA does a zygote contain?

Answer 5

50% DNA of the father, 50% DNA of the mother, creating a new set of genes unique to the baby

Question 6

What does one single cell on day 1 become?

Answer 6

Many cells due to division

Question 7

What do cells become when they keep dividing on day 1?

Answer 7

A mass of undifferentiated cells

Question 8

What 2 things happen on days 4-6?

Answer 8

Differentiation begins to happen, and cells cluster together to form the placenta

Question 9

What is the role of the placenta?

Answer 9

A temporary organ that supplies nutrients and blood from the mother to the baby

Question 10

What happens on day 7 of gestation?

Answer 10

The fertilised egg implants into the uterine wall

Question 11

What are different cells like in the early stages of an embryo?

Answer 11

Not functionally different

Question 12

What are cells called in the early stages of an embryo?

Answer 12

Pluripotent or omnipotent

Question 13

What do cells have the potential to do in the early stages of an embryo?

Answer 13

To activate certain genes and grow into specific organs

Question 14

When is the inner cell mass present?

Answer 14

In the early stages of an embryo

Question 15

Why are stem cells called stem?

Answer 15

They are the stem of the whole organism

Question 16

What can stem cells later do?

Answer 16

Develop into many types of cells

Question 17

What potential do stem cells have?

Answer 17

Therapeutic potential for many neurodegenerative disorders

Question 18

When do cells begin to differentiate?

Answer 18

2nd week of prenatal development

Question 19

When do layers emerge?

Answer 19

Days 10-16

Question 20

What are the 3 layers?

Answer 20

Ectoderm (external), mesoderm (middle), endoderm (internal)

Question 21

What develops from the ectoderm? (5)

Answer 21

• Nervous system
• Eyes
• Skin
• Hair
• Nails

Question 22

What develops from the mesoderm? (6)

Answer 22

• Muscle
• Bones
• Heart
• Blood vessels
• Kidneys
• Genitals

Question 23

What develops from the endoderm? (3)

Answer 23

• Digestion system
• Respiration system
• Excretion system

Question 24

What do parts of the ectoderm turn into?

Answer 24

A ‘neural plate’

Question 25

What does the 'neural plate' become when it starts to curve?

Answer 25

A 'neural tube'

Question 26

What does the inner part of the neural tube develop into?

Answer 26

The central nervous system

Question 27

What does the outer part of the neural tube develop into?

Answer 27

The peripheral nervous system

Question 28

What can happen if both sides don't close properly?

Answer 28

It could lead to very serious developmental disorders

Question 29

What results from the lower part of the neural tube failing to close?

Answer 29

Spina bifida

Question 30

What happens to the spinal cord with spina bifida?

Answer 30

Spinal cord comes out of bone structure so nerves are exposed

Question 31

What is a key symptom of spina bifida?

Answer 31

A weak bladder/bowel and weakness in legs

Question 32

What is spina bifida thought to be caused by?

Answer 32

Genetic and non-genetic factors combined

Question 33

What does the upper part of the neural tube failing to close result in?

Answer 33

Anencephaly

Question 34

What causes problems in anencephaly?

Answer 34

The brain is unable to develop

Question 35

What is thought to be the cause of anencephaly?

Answer 35

An interaction of genetic and environmental factors

Question 36

Why is a healthy diet important in gestation?

Answer 36

It is crucial to the baby's health

Question 37

Why are certain vitamins important in gestation?

Answer 37

For triggering genes that facilitate brain development

Question 38

What is folic acid?

Answer 38

A dietary supplement important for formation of the neural tube

Question 39

How much could folic acid reduce the incidence of defects by?

Answer 39

90%

Question 40

What does the rostral end of the neural tube develop into?

Answer 40

The brain

Question 41

What does the prosencephalon develop into?

Answer 41

The cortex, diencephalon, telencephalon

Question 42

What does the mesencephalon develop into?

Answer 42

The tectum and tegmentum

Question 43

What does the rhombencephalon develop into?

Answer 43

The cerebellum, brainstem, and pons

Question 44

What does the caudal end of the neural tube develop into?

Answer 44

The spinal cord

Question 45

What part of the brain grows rapidly in size from birth to age 2?

Answer 45

The frontal region

Question 46

When does the pace of brain growing slow down?

Answer 46

Age 4

Question 47

When is the brain roughly a similar size to an adult brain?

Answer 47

Age 10 onwards

Question 48

What is the main difference between an adult brain and a child's brain?

Answer 48

Adult brain has greater neural connectivity