Neurobiology And Behaviour Flashcards
What is the aim of neuroscience
Discover how nervous systems are formed as animals grow from embryo to adult in order to understand and develop treatments for diseases of the nervous system
Why are experiments on developmental of nervous system conducted on animals?
Unethical to perform on humans
Research on other animal species is usually easier because the nervous system develops more rapidly
The nervous system of animals is less complex than humans
The nervous system of animals is easier to observe, as the embryo in humans develops internally in the uterus, and animals often develop externally
What animals are used as animal models for developmental neuroscience?
Flat worm Fruit fly Zebra fish African clawed frog House mouse
Why is the flat worm used to study developmental neuroscience?
Because as adults they have a low fixed number of cells, and the mature very quickly
Why is the fruit fly used to study developmental neuroscience?
Because they breed quickly, have only 4 pairs of chromosomes, and mature very quickly
Why is the zebra fish used to study developmental neuroscience?
Because the tissues are almost transparent, making it easy to observe
Why is the African clawed frog used to study developmental neuroscience?
Because the eggs are large and easily manipulated
Why is the house mouse used to study developmental neuroscience?
Because after hundreds of years living near people and their food, it shares many human diseases
When do humans develop a dorsal nerve chord?
During the first month of gestation
What develops into the neural plate in humans?
An area of ectoderm cells on the dorsal surface of the embryo develops into the neural plate
How is the neural groove formed?
The cells in the neural plate change shape, causing the plate to fold inwards. This forms the neural groove along the back of the embryo, which separates from the rest of the ectoderm.
How is the neural tube form?
The neural groove is located along the back of the embryo, and is separated from the rest of the ectoderm. This forms the neural tube when the lateral edges of the neural plate join together to form a tube. This tube elongates as the embryo grows.
How are neurons initially developed?
In the neural tube, the rapid growth of cells by mitosis and differentiation, leads to the cells becoming functioning neurons.
Why are there more neurons in the mature CNS than the initial embryonic neural tube?
Because rapid cell growth continues in the developing spinal chord and the brain. Although cell division ceases before birth in most parts of the nervous system, there are many parts of the brain where new neurons are produced during adulthood.
