8.4 Visual development

Question 1

Critical window, Critical period

Answer 1

A period of
time during development when the nervous
system must obtain specific experiences to
develop properly, for example, exposure to light
stimulation for full visual development. The
stimulation is required to create correct patterns
of synapses within the brain.

Question 2

Animal model

Answer 2

Animals used by scientists to
learn about humans are known as animal
models. For instance, fruit flies (Drosophila) and
nematode worms are used for studying the links
between genes and development, while rats and
mice are used extensively to study the safety and
effectiveness of potential new drugs.

Question 3

Monocular deprivation

Answer 3

An experimental
procedure in which light is prevented from
entering one of the eyes of certain animals, e.g.
monkeys.