Chapter 5: Brain Plasticity Flashcards
The cell formed by the two merged reproductive cells.
Zygote.
An organism in its early stage of development; in humans, this happens between two (2) to eight (8) weeks following conception.
Embryo.
The unborn offspring; used to refer in humans to the developing individual following the embryonic stage until birth.
Fetus.
One of the first three layers that differentiate in the developing embryo.
Germ layer.
One of the initial three (3) germ layers of the embryo, the source of skin and neural tissue.
Ectoderm.
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.
Mesoderm.
One of the initial three (3) germ layers of the embryo, the source of many internal organs.
Endoderm.
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.
Neural tube.
Highlight of prenatal phase of development (conception - birth).
Rapid physical development.
Highlight of infancy (birth - 2 years old).
Motor development.
Highlight of childhood (2 - 12 years old).
Abstract reasoning.
Highlight of adolescence (13 - 20 years old).
Identity creation, judgment.
A term used to refer to drugs of abuse, industrial chemicals, caffeine, and household chemicals.
Teratogens.
Six (6) stages of development of the mature nervous system.
- Continued birth of neurons and glia
- Migration of cells to their eventual locations in the nervous system
- Differentiation of neurons into distinctive types
- Formation of connections between neurons
- Death of particular neurons
- Rearrangement of neural connections
Neurons and glia originate from the ___________ ____, a layer of cells lining the inner surface of the neural tube.
Ventricular zone.
This is the process by which a cell replicates its chromosomes and then segregates them, producing two identical nuclei in preparation for cell division.
Mitosis.
The term used to refer to the generation of new cells.
Proliferation.
These act as guide wires for the migration of neurons.
Radial glial cells.
The term that refers to the formation of new synapses.
Synaptogenesis.
Synaptogenesis depends on two (2) factors.
- Presence of glial cells, especially astrocytes.
- Chemical signal exchange between pre- and postsynaptic neurons is needed.
Three (3) things that neurotrophins do.
1.Promote growth and survival
2. Guide axons
3. Stimulate synaptogenesis
A term used to refer to programmed cell death. Greek for “falling leaves.”
Apoptosis.
Enzymes known as ________ break up DNA and proteins, which quickly leads to cell death.
Caspases.
The process in which functional synapses are maintained and nonfunctional synapses are lost.
Synaptic pruning.
The ability to change.
Plasticity.
A segment of time during development in which a particular experience is influential and after which experience has little or no effect.
Critical period.
A synapse strengthened by simultaneous activity. Named after Donald Hebb.
Hebb synapse.
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.
Imprinting.
A neural tube defect in which the rostral neural tube does not develop normally, resulting in incomplete formation of the brain and skull.
Anencephaly.
A defect in which the caudal portion of the neural tube fails to close normally.
Spina bifida.
An abnormal genetic condition resulting from a genotype with three copies of chromosome 21, responsible for moderate mental retardation and a characteristic physical appearance.
Down syndrome.
A heritable genetic disorder that produces cognitive and physical abnormalities.
fragile-X syndrome.
Three (3) core symptoms of autism.
- Reduced ability to communicate
- Reduced capacity for social interaction
- Preoccupation with a single subject or activity
Intellectually handicapped individuals who display specific cognitive or artistic abilities.
Savants.
Symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in infants.
Problems with sleep, feeding, milestones, muscle tone, sensory information processing.
Symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in children.
Hyperactive, poorly coordinated, learning delays.
Symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in adolescents/adults.
Poor judgment, attention, problems with arithmetic, memory, abstraction, frustration/anger.
