Midterm 2 (Development of the brain)

Question 1

what two things does brain development depend on?

Answer 1

maturation and learning

Question 2

when does the human central nervous system begin to form?

Answer 2

when the embryo is approx. two weeks old

Question 3

first step of human CNS formation

Answer 3

the dorsal surface thickens, forming a neural tube surrounding a fluid filled cavity

Question 4

second step of human CNS formation

Answer 4

the forward end enlarges and differentiates into the hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain

Question 5

third step in human CNS formation

Answer 5

the rest of the neural tube becomes the spinal cord

Question 6

how much does a brain weigh at birth, by the first year, and adulthood (grams)

Answer 6

birth- 350g
first year- 1000g
adult- 1200-1400g

Question 7

list the five steps of development of neurons

Answer 7

proliferation, migration, differentiation, myelination, and synaptogenesis

Question 8

define “proliferation” in the context of neuron development

Answer 8

the production of new cells/ neurons in the brain primarily occurring early in life

Question 9

define “migration” in the context of neuron development

Answer 9

the movement of the newly formed neurons and glia to their eventual locations

Question 10

define “differentiation” in context of neuron development

Answer 10

the forming of the axon and dendrites that gives the neuron its distinctive shape

Question 11

define “myelination” in the context of neuron development

Answer 11

the process by which glia produce the fatty sheath that covers the axons of some neurons

Question 12

define “synaptogenesis” in the context of neuron development

Answer 12

(the final stage of neural development) the formation of the synapses between neurons

Question 13

what are Neurotropins?

Answer 13

chemicals that promote the survival and activity of neurons

Question 14

describe the dendrites of children born with fetal alcohol syndrome

Answer 14

short with few branches

Question 15

what does exposure to alcohol in a fetus brain suppress? what does it enhance?

Answer 15

suppresses glutamate and enhances the release of GABA

Question 16

what happens to the neurons of children born with fetal alcohol syndrome?

Answer 16

many neurons receive less excitation and exposure to neurotropins then usual and undergo apoptosis (death)

Question 17

define “far transfer”

Answer 17

the belief that teaching a child a difficult concept (e.g. Greek, advanced math) would enhance their intelligence in other areas