Development Flashcards
How far into pregnancy does the brain start developing?
3 weeks
What do the cells of the embryo form in the first stage of the development of the brain?
A neural plate
What does the neural plate form when it folds over?
A neural tube
What happens in the fourth week of pregnancy?
The neural tube begins to divide into the forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain and spinal cord
What happens in the sixth week of pregnancy?
The brain begins to divide further. The forebrain splits into two areas. Neurons and synapses begin to develop
What two areas will the forebrain turn into after splitting?
The cortex and the thalamus
What does the neurons and synapses developing allow the foetus to do?
Move around and react to its environment
What is the brain like in the 15th week?
The areas become more structured and separated. The cerebellum has separated from the rest of the hindbrain. The neural pathways within the brain become more developed.
How many months is it when the brain is fully formed (but still developing)
6 months
By 6 months, what has happened?
The brain stem has matured, controlling heart rate and breathing. Brain wave activity picks up and sleep cycles start.
What happens in the last months of pregnancy
The folds on the cortex begin to form (makes brain look wrinkled) and the cerebellum’s motor control is developing at a fast pace, ready for the baby to be born.
At birth, how big is the brain compared to its adult size?
25%
What are the hemispheres of the brain?
The sides of the brain?
What does motor mean?
Movement
What does autonomic mean?
automatic, involuntary functions in the body (heart beat, breathing, digestion)
What does cognitive mean?
Mental process (thinking, logic, problem solving)
What is sensory information?
Information received through the senses (touch, taste, sight, smell, sound)
What happens in the parietal lobe of the brain?
It processes information from the senses, particularly touch, temperature, and pain. Coordination of movement also happens here.
What happens in the occipital lobe of the brain?
It processes visual information
What happens in the frontal lobe of the brain?
It is involved in thinking, planning and problem solving. This lobe also contributes to our social behaviours and personality.
What happens in the temporal lobe of the brain?
This lobe is involved in interpreting sounds and language, the processing of auditory information.
What is the thalamus?
It is found deep inside the brain. This brain area is the sensory processing station responsible for passing information from the sense organs to the cortex. Also responsible for coordination of motor signals.
What is the cortex?
This is the outer layer of the brain, about 3mm thick. It is divided into two hemispheres (left and right). Higher cognitive functions like speech take place here. This part of the brain continues to develop throughout our lives.
What is the brain stem?
It connects the brain to the spinal cord. Involved in carrying messages between the brain and the rest of the body. This area controls autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. This brain area is most developed at birth.
What is the cerebellum?
Known as the little brain, the role of this brain area is to coordinate movement and balance. Also coordinates sensory and motor activity.
