Development

Question 1

How far into pregnancy does the brain start developing?

Answer 1

3 weeks

Question 2

What do the cells of the embryo form in the first stage of the development of the brain?

Answer 2

A neural plate

Question 3

What does the neural plate form when it folds over?

Answer 3

A neural tube

Question 4

What happens in the fourth week of pregnancy?

Answer 4

The neural tube begins to divide into the forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain and spinal cord

Question 5

What happens in the sixth week of pregnancy?

Answer 5

The brain begins to divide further. The forebrain splits into two areas. Neurons and synapses begin to develop

Question 6

What two areas will the forebrain turn into after splitting?

Answer 6

The cortex and the thalamus

Question 7

What does the neurons and synapses developing allow the foetus to do?

Answer 7

Move around and react to its environment

Question 8

What is the brain like in the 15th week?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

How many months is it when the brain is fully formed (but still developing)

Answer 9

6 months

Question 10

By 6 months, what has happened?

Answer 10

The brain stem has matured, controlling heart rate and breathing. Brain wave activity picks up and sleep cycles start.

Question 11

What happens in the last months of pregnancy

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

At birth, how big is the brain compared to its adult size?

Answer 12

25%

Question 13

What are the hemispheres of the brain?

Answer 13

The sides of the brain?

Question 14

What does motor mean?

Answer 14

Movement

Question 15

What does autonomic mean?

Answer 15

automatic, involuntary functions in the body (heart beat, breathing, digestion)

Question 16

What does cognitive mean?

Answer 16

Mental process (thinking, logic, problem solving)

Question 17

What is sensory information?

Answer 17

Information received through the senses (touch, taste, sight, smell, sound)

Question 18

What happens in the parietal lobe of the brain?

Answer 18

It processes information from the senses, particularly touch, temperature, and pain. Coordination of movement also happens here.

Question 19

What happens in the occipital lobe of the brain?

Answer 19

It processes visual information

Question 20

What happens in the frontal lobe of the brain?

Answer 20

It is involved in thinking, planning and problem solving. This lobe also contributes to our social behaviours and personality.

Question 21

What happens in the temporal lobe of the brain?

Answer 21

This lobe is involved in interpreting sounds and language, the processing of auditory information.

Question 22

What is the thalamus?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

What is the cortex?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

What is the brain stem?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

What is the cerebellum?

Answer 25

Known as the little brain, the role of this brain area is to coordinate movement and balance. Also coordinates sensory and motor activity.