Chapter 5 Flashcards
0-10 wks old
embryo
Brain Weight @ birth
350 grams
Brain weight @ 1 yr
1000 grams
Brain weight as an Adult
1200 to 1400 grams
Production of new cells/neurons in the brain; primarily occurring early in life
proliferation
cells that remain where they are, continuing to divide
Stem cells
movement of cells after they have differentiated as neurons or glia to their eventual locations
migration
Migration guided by
immunoglobulins & chemokines
Process whereby neuron forms its axon & dendrites that gives the neuron its distinctive shape (axon 1st, followed by dendrites)
differentiation
process by which glia produce insulating fatty sheaths that accelerate transmission
myelination
formation of synapses between neurons; final stage
synaptogenesis
5 stages of growth & development of neurons
Proliferation, migration, differentiation, myelination, synaptogenesis
Can the adult vertebrate brain generate new neurons?
stem cells are undifferentiated; generate “daughter cells” that can transform into glia or neurons
songbirds
in area necessary for singing, old neurons die & new ones take their place
stem cells differentiate into new neurons in adult hippocampus
mammals
Roger Sperry & newts
indicated that axons follow a chemical trail to reach their appropriate target (1954)
Axons find their targets w/remarkable precision. How?
growing axon follows path of cells-surface molecules, attracted by some chemcials and repelled by others. This process steers it in the correct direction
Some theorists refer to the idea of the selection process of neural connectections as this; as nervous system develops, we start w/more neurons & synapses than we keep; in this competition amongst synaptic connections, we initially form more connections than we need; most successful
neural darwinism
discovered that muscles don’t determine how many axons form; they determine how many survive
levi montalcini
is a type of protein released by muscles that promotes the survival and growth of axons
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)
Neuron’s suicide program
if it’s axon doesn’t make contact w/an appropriate postsynaptic cell by a certain age, the neuron kills itself thru a process called apoptosis
Preprogrammed mechanism of cell death
apoptosis
chemical that promotes survival & activity of neurons (NGF)
neurotrophin
most abundant neurotropin in adult cerebral cortex
BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)
Increased risk of heart problems on babies
antidepressant
condition marked by hyperactivity, impulsiveness, difficulty maintaining attention, varying degrees of mental retardation, motor problems, heart defects, & facial abnormalities (high forehead & wide set eyes)
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
what characteristics do they show as adults?
suppresses glutamate & enhances the realase of GABA; many neurons consequently recieve less excitation & exposures
Both increased risk for ADHD & other behavioral deficits
cocaine & tobacco
can affect the health of child
stress
neurons in different parts of the brain differ. how?
from 1 another in their shape & chemical components
The brain has some limited ability to reorganize itself in response to experience
fine tuning by experience
After practicing particular skills connections relevant to those skills proliferate, while other connectons retract
new & interesting experiences
does this apply to humans?
yes; enriched environment are likely to have more branches
what about older ppl?
cortex gets smaller
Blind ppl outperform sighted ppl
verbal skills
larger than normal section postcentral gyrus in rihgt hemispehre devoted to representing finers of teh left hand
stringed instrument players
Aka Focal hand dystonia
Musician’s cramp
refers to a condition where the reorganization of the brain goes too far; the fingers of musicians who practice extensively become clumsy, fatigue easily, & make involuntary movements
Musican’s cramp
tendency to seek immediate reward or pleasure
impulsiveness
voluntary eye movement away from normal direction; ability to perform task improves sharply between ages 7 to 11 (looking away from a powerful attention-getter)
Antisaccade Task