8- How does the Brain Develop as an Organ? Flashcards
When does life start?
At conception- when the sperm meets the egg
When is gestation?
From conception until birth
How long is human gestation?
9 months long (normally)
Why is the first couple of weeks of gestation a critical period?
Because stem cells begin to differentiate into different types of organs or tissues
What DNA does a zygote contain?
50% DNA of the father, 50% DNA of the mother, creating a new set of genes unique to the baby
What does one single cell on day 1 become?
Many cells due to division
What do cells become when they keep dividing on day 1?
A mass of undifferentiated cells
What 2 things happen on days 4-6?
Differentiation begins to happen, and cells cluster together to form the placenta
What is the role of the placenta?
A temporary organ that supplies nutrients and blood from the mother to the baby
What happens on day 7 of gestation?
The fertilised egg implants into the uterine wall
What are different cells like in the early stages of an embryo?
Not functionally different
What are cells called in the early stages of an embryo?
Pluripotent or omnipotent
What do cells have the potential to do in the early stages of an embryo?
To activate certain genes and grow into specific organs
When is the inner cell mass present?
In the early stages of an embryo
Why are stem cells called stem?
They are the stem of the whole organism
What can stem cells later do?
Develop into many types of cells
What potential do stem cells have?
Therapeutic potential for many neurodegenerative disorders
When do cells begin to differentiate?
2nd week of prenatal development
When do layers emerge?
Days 10-16