Brain development

Question 1

Describe neurulation

Answer 1

marks the beginging of brain development at the third week of gestation
in the process of neurlation a flat layer of cells begins to fold inward to form the neural tube, which eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord

Question 2

what are the important milestones of brain development

Answer 2

neurlation
closure of the neural tube

Question 3

describe the rest of brain development

Answer 3

the anterior end of the closed neural tube starts to exand and differentiate into 3 primary vesicles: the forebrain (prosencephalon), the midbrain (mesencephalon), and the hindbrain (rhombencephalon)

the primary vesicles will subdivide into the major structures

forebrain –> cerebral hemispheres, thalamus, and hypothalamus
midbrain –> tectum, tegmentum, and cerebral aqueduct
hindbrain –> two major structures, metencephalon (gives rise to pons and cerebellum) and myelencephalon (medulla obongata)

Question 4

describe the process of neurogenesis

Answer 4

the process of generating neurons
starts between 5 and 6 weeks post-fertilization
neural stem cells in the ventricular zone begin to divide
an asymmetric division - a daughter NSC and a neural progenitor cell –> eventually differentiate into a neuron

Question 5

describe migration

Answer 5

NPC migrate to the subventricular zone to populate more peripheral layer
intermediae zone, and cortical plate

Question 6

describe differentiation

Answer 6

neurons in the final locations will differentiate
cell fate is regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence

Question 7

describe synaptogenesis

Answer 7

neurons extend their axons through guided chemical signals to their target cells forming connections called synapses

starts in the second trimester nd conuties after birth, peaking at 2-3 years of age

neurons will initially form more synapses than necessary, pruning of synapses occurs that refines and optimizes neural networks

Question 8

describe myelination

Answer 8

stats to occur in the third trimester of pregnancy

it is the process of coating the axons with a fatty substance (myelin) that insulates the nerve fibres to increase the rate of transmissionc

Question 9

compare and contrast human brain development and mouse brain development

Question 10

When does the myelination process begin and end in mice?

Answer 10

Starts postnatally at PND 10 and continues to about PND 90

Myelination is crucial for efficient neural signaling.