Chapter 7 P1: Neuroplasticity (Nature vs Nurture, Epigenetics, & across the Lifespan) Flashcards
What are the 6 stages of brain development?
1) Neurogenesis: mitosis of neuronal cells to produce more neurons.
2) Cell migration: the movement of neural cells to establish brain regions
3) Differentiation: specialization of cells into distinctive neuronal and glial cells
4) Synaptogenesis: the formation of synaptic connections as axons and dendrites grow
5) Neuronal cell death: the selective death of many neuronal cells
6) Synaptic pruning: the loss of some synapses and the development of others to refine synaptic connections
What is Hebbian Learning?
Neurons that fire together wire together, neurons that fire apart wire apart.
This means the more activation of synaptic connections, the more neuroplasticity; unused networks get diffused to do something more useful.
Is the meaningful unit of the brain a single neuron? true or false.
False, the meaningful unit of the brain is the networks and synchronization of neurons (as said by Hebbian theory)
Does the brain develop from the bottom-up, back-front? true or false.
True because basic survival functions are prioritized (bottum-up) and higher order thinking comes later (back-front).
What region(s) of the brain is more prone to individual variability?
The forebrain (higher order cognitive networks such as the prefrontal cortex)
What region(s) of the brain is less prone to individual variability?
Many midbrain and hindbrain regions (limbic, sensory-motor, and visual)
How do we map out the individual variability of the brain?
By using Functional Connectivity Maps.
Which areas of the brain are likely the last to evolve?
The most complex cortexes, of which are also the most varied (frontal lobe).
Which areas of the brain are more susceptible to experience based change?
Those that show individual variability: the forebrain regions (telencephalon/cerebrum)
What are some factors that influence brain development and function?
1) Sensory and motor experience/exposure
2) Psychoactive drugs
3) Sex hormones
4) Parent-child relationships
5) Peer relationships
6) Stress
7) Gut microbacteria
8) Diet
Define Experience-Expectant Plasticity.
The normal, generalized development of neuron connections that occur as a result of common experiences that all humans are exposed to in a normal environment.
These early universal experiences are visual stimulation, sound (specifically voices), and bodily movement.
These experiences are REQUIRED for the brain development it is associated with.
Define Experience-Dependent Plasticity.
The continuing process of the creation and organization of neuron connections that occurs as a result of a person’s life experiences.
Differing life situations and circumstance influence how certain areas of the brain develop and continue to grow, but specific experience is not required in the same manner EEP is.
Explain why a Critical Time Window for development is important.
A critical time window is a period in which certain experiences are necessary for brain function (EEP), and is irreversible after the period is over.
(e.g. if a baby is born with cataracts, there is a critical and irreversible time period in which the visual system must be activated - if it fails to before that time, vision will never be fully developed or developed at all.
Explain what a Sensitive Period in brain development is.
This is a period in which experience is greatly influential on brain function. The difference is that it is not irreversible, but much harder to develop after.
(e.g. a child learning a new language - it would be much harder for adults to do so. However, it is still possible to develop.)
Epigenetics
Influence of gene expression by means other than the genetic code (environmental factors).
