Development of the brain

Question 1

What are the 7 stages of brain development?

Answer 1

1) cell brith ( neurogenesis, gliogenesis)
2) Cell migration
3) cell differentiation
4) Neural maturation (dendrite and axon growth)
5) Synaptogenesis (growth of synapses)
6) cell death and synaptic pruning
7) Myelongenesis (formation of myelin)

Question 2

What are the 2 ways in which neural maturation takes place?

Answer 2

• Dendritic growth - Through absorption ( growth of dendritic spines)
• Axonal growth ( through a growth cone for example)

Question 3

What is meant by the key term
- Apoptosis

Answer 3

Apoptosis = genetically programmed cell death

Question 4

When talking about language development ( which is an example of an emerging behaviour to infer natural maturation ) what changes with axons and dendrites in Broca’s area?

Answer 4

• axons and dendrites in the area are simple at birth but grow dramatically denser at age 15-24 months

Question 5

What are Piagets 4 main stages of cognitive development?

Answer 5

1) sensorimotor stage - 0-2 years
2) Pre-operational - 2-6 years old
3) Concrete operational - 7-11 years old
4) Formal operational - 12+ years old

Question 6

What did Herman Epstein find to do with growth spurts (1979) ?

Answer 6

In his study looking at ratios of brain weight relating to body weight he found consistent spurts in brain growth

This is a more contemporary view that should be considered when talking and evaluating Piagets stages of cognitive development.