Brain Development

Question 1

What is the process of neurulation?

Answer 1

Portion of the ectoderm folds in on itself and forms a hollow tube

Question 2

What is the neural tube and what are the related birth defects if it does not close properly?

Answer 2

• neural tube: flat group of cells that becomes the brain & spinal cord; neurogenesis happens here
• defects: anencephaly & spina bifida

Question 3

What brain development processes occur after birth?

Answer 3

• synaptogenesis
• synaptic pruning
• myelination

Question 4

synaptogenesis

Answer 4

-formation of synapses between neurons

Question 5

synaptic pruning

Answer 5

gradual loss of unused synapses

-beginning in infancy & continuing into early adolescence

Question 6

myelination

Answer 6

-helps electrical impulses move more efficiently

Question 7

What are the effects of severe neglect on the developing brain?

Answer 7

children has stunted growth and were short regardless of age

Question 8

What was their intervention and which group benefited the most?

Answer 8

children who were moved to foster care before 2 yrs of age

Question 9

Experience-expectant growth

Answer 9

Changes in the brain from environmental influences that typically occur at specified points in development and for all children.

Question 10

Experience-dependent growth

Answer 10

Changes in the brain due to experiences that are not linked to specific ages and that vary across individuals and across cultures.

Question 11

How did Chuck Nelsons’ research groups study this topic in Romanian orphanages?

Answer 11

-randomized trial of “care-as-usual” vs high quality foster home