Development Flashcards
At 3 weeks
The brain begins to develop. multiplying cells form a structure called the neural plate. This folds over onto itself to form a tube structure called the neural tube
During the 4th week
The neural tube divides into the: Spinal cord Forebrain Midbrain Hindbrain
During the 6th week
The forebrain divides into two areas:
The cortex
The thalamus
Neurons and synapses begin to develop in the spinal cord which allows the fetus to move around
By the 15th week
The cerebellum has formed from the hindbrain
By 6 months
The brain is fully formed but not full sized yet
During the last 3 months
Folds begin to form the cortex
At birth the brain is
25% its adults size
Brain stem
The brain stem connects the spinal cord to the brain. It controls basic autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure & sleeping.
Thalamus
The centre of the brain. its the sensory processing station. It receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate behavioral responses. All sensory information passes through the thalamus on its way to the cortex.
Cerebellum
Located at the back of the brain behind the brain stem. It controls movement & balance and receives information from the cortex and other areas to fine tune motor activity like walking.
Cortex
The outer layer of the brain. It is responsible for higher cognitive processes and is divided into four lobes.
Frontal lobe
Responsible for cognitive processes such as thinking, planning and problem solving
Parietal lobe
Processes information related to touch on the skin (hot/cold/pain)
Temporal lobe
Involved in processing auditory information
Occipital lobe
Involved in processing visual information
MZ
Identical twins
DZ
Non identical twins