Development

Question 1

What is plasticity?

Answer 1

It’s when the brain changes during development.

Question 2

What determines the development of the brain?

Answer 2

It’s an interaction between the biological programming of the brain and the environment of the child’s upbringing.

Question 3

What 3 kinds of brain changes are there during childhood?

Answer 3

1. Cell proliferation and migration.
2. Proliferation of synapses.
3. Myelination.

Question 4

What process takes place soon after conception? (During gestation)

Answer 4

Neurulation

Question 5

What is neurulation?

Answer 5

It is the formation of the hollow tube that develops into the CNS. The tube slowly closes over, and neurons and glia develop in this tube and migrate.

Question 6

What is neurogenesis?

Answer 6

Development of neural cells.

Question 7

Name two kinds of neural tube defects:

Answer 7

1. Spina Bifida - when the tube doesn’t close properly.

2. Anencephaly - when the baby is born without a brain.

Question 8

What follows neurolation?

Answer 8

Neuronal migration.

Question 9

What is neuronal migration?

Answer 9

When the neurons move from their original position of origin to their final destination.

Question 10

What do the glial cells do during neuronal migration?

Answer 10

They provide the scaffolding for the migration of the neurons.

Question 11

At what point of most neurogenesis complete?

Answer 11

6 months from conception.

Question 12

What is synaptogenesis?

Answer 12

The rapid formation of new synaptic connections.

Question 13

When does synaptogenesis occur?

Answer 13

Within the first year.

Question 14

Where does synaptogenesis occur first?

Answer 14

In the primary motor and sensory areas. It then moves on to the PFC.

Question 15

What is synaptic pruning?

Answer 15

The elimination of synapses.

Question 16

When has the synaptic pruning in the visual cortex complete?

Answer 16

At 10 years.

Question 17

Briefly explain the steps of synaptic development in the brain:

Answer 17

The initial over-production of synapses allows for the brain to be maximally responsive to the environment - the specific nature of the environment determines which synaptic connections are necessary - the brain then rids itself of its unnecessary connections by means of synaptic pruning, allowing it to specialise in the skills needed.

Question 18

What indicates a high IQ?

Answer 18

A thicker cortex at a young age, and a greater rate of thinning (synaptic pruning)

Question 19

When does myelination begin?

Answer 19

Between the 4th gestational month and the 1st year of life.

Question 20

Where does myelination begin and why?

Answer 20

In the spinal chord and the medulla, as these are NB for vital functions.

Question 21

What is myelinated in the first year after birth?

Answer 21

The basic sensory and motor systems.

Question 22

When does myelination of the corpus collosum occur?

Answer 22

Right into the early 20s.

Question 23

What are experience-expectant systems?

Answer 23

There are experiences that are common to all members of a species - the CNS evolves to expect these experiences.

Question 24

What are experience-dependent systems?

Answer 24

There are experiences that vary across individuals - the impact of these experiences affect the dendritic density and number of synapses.

Question 25

What domain is not affected greatly by enriched environment?

Answer 25

Fluid IQ - such as problem solving or working memory.

Question 26

What time period is sensitive for language?

Answer 26

If a second language is learnt in between the ages of 5-7, the child will have the equivalent of a first speaker’s skills.