Chapter 5: Brain Plasticity

Question 1

The cell formed by the two merged reproductive cells.

Answer 1

Zygote.

Question 2

An organism in its early stage of development; in humans, this happens between two (2) to eight (8) weeks following conception.

Answer 2

Embryo.

Question 3

The unborn offspring; used to refer in humans to the developing individual following the embryonic stage until birth.

Answer 3

Fetus.

Question 4

One of the first three layers that differentiate in the developing embryo.

Answer 4

Germ layer.

Question 5

One of the initial three (3) germ layers of the embryo, the source of skin and neural tissue.

Answer 5

Ectoderm.

Question 6

One of the initial three (3) germ layers of the embryo that will form connective tissue such as ligaments, muscles, blood vessels, and the urogenital systems.

Answer 6

Mesoderm.

Question 7

One of the initial three (3) germ layers of the embryo, the source of many internal organs.

Answer 7

Endoderm.

Question 8

A structure formed by the developing embryonic neural plate that will eventually form the brain and spinal cord, with the interior of the tube forming the ventricle system of the adult brain.

Answer 8

Neural tube.

Question 9

Highlight of prenatal phase of development (conception - birth).

Answer 9

Rapid physical development.

Question 10

Highlight of infancy (birth - 2 years old).

Answer 10

Motor development.

Question 11

Highlight of childhood (2 - 12 years old).

Answer 11

Abstract reasoning.

Question 12

Highlight of adolescence (13 - 20 years old).

Answer 12

Identity creation, judgment.

Question 13

A term used to refer to drugs of abuse, industrial chemicals, caffeine, and household chemicals.

Answer 13

Teratogens.

Question 14

Six (6) stages of development of the mature nervous system.

Answer 14

1. Continued birth of neurons and glia
2. Migration of cells to their eventual locations in the nervous system
3. Differentiation of neurons into distinctive types
4. Formation of connections between neurons
5. Death of particular neurons
6. Rearrangement of neural connections

Question 15

Neurons and glia originate from the ___________ ____, a layer of cells lining the inner surface of the neural tube.

Answer 15

Ventricular zone.

Question 16

This is the process by which a cell replicates its chromosomes and then segregates them, producing two identical nuclei in preparation for cell division.

Answer 16

Mitosis.

Question 17

The term used to refer to the generation of new cells.

Answer 17

Proliferation.

Question 18

These act as guide wires for the migration of neurons.

Answer 18

Radial glial cells.

Question 19

The term that refers to the formation of new synapses.

Answer 19

Synaptogenesis.

Question 20

Synaptogenesis depends on two (2) factors.

Answer 20

1. Presence of glial cells, especially astrocytes.
2. Chemical signal exchange between pre- and postsynaptic neurons is needed.

Question 21

Three (3) things that neurotrophins do.

Answer 21

1.Promote growth and survival
2. Guide axons
3. Stimulate synaptogenesis

Question 22

A term used to refer to programmed cell death. Greek for “falling leaves.”

Answer 22

Apoptosis.

Question 23

Enzymes known as ________ break up DNA and proteins, which quickly leads to cell death.

Answer 23

Caspases.

Question 24

The process in which functional synapses are maintained and nonfunctional synapses are lost.

Answer 24

Synaptic pruning.

Question 25

The ability to change.

Answer 25

Plasticity.

Question 26

A segment of time during development in which a particular experience is influential and after which experience has little or no effect.

Answer 26

Critical period.

Question 27

A synapse strengthened by simultaneous activity. Named after Donald Hebb.

Answer 27

Hebb synapse.

Question 28

The process in which baby animals, particularly birds, learn to follow their mother immediately upon seeing her after birth or hatching. Idea developed by Konrad Lorenz.

Answer 28

Imprinting.

Question 29

A neural tube defect in which the rostral neural tube does not develop normally, resulting in incomplete formation of the brain and skull.

Answer 29

Anencephaly.

Question 30

A defect in which the caudal portion of the neural tube fails to close normally.

Answer 30

Spina bifida.

Question 31

An abnormal genetic condition resulting from a genotype with three copies of chromosome 21, responsible for moderate mental retardation and a characteristic physical appearance.

Answer 31

Down syndrome.

Question 32

A heritable genetic disorder that produces cognitive and physical abnormalities.

Answer 32

fragile-X syndrome.

Question 33

Three (3) core symptoms of autism.

Answer 33

1. Reduced ability to communicate
2. Reduced capacity for social interaction
3. Preoccupation with a single subject or activity

Question 34

Intellectually handicapped individuals who display specific cognitive or artistic abilities.

Answer 34

Savants.

Question 35

Symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in infants.

Answer 35

Problems with sleep, feeding, milestones, muscle tone, sensory information processing.

Question 36

Symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in children.

Answer 36

Hyperactive, poorly coordinated, learning delays.

Question 37

Symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in adolescents/adults.

Answer 37

Poor judgment, attention, problems with arithmetic, memory, abstraction, frustration/anger.