Neurodevelopment Flashcards
Cell birth is also known as what?
Cell proliferation
What two processes occur during cell proliferation?
(genesis)
Neurogenesis and gliogensis
Why does neurogenesis not result from neuronal division?
Neurons don’t divide
Stem cells, or immature cells, divide to form what type of cells?
Progenitor/precursor cells
What two types of cells can progenitor cells become?
Neuroblast or glioblast
Santiago Ramon & Cajal found that cells undergoing mitosis were always closer to the inner surface of the neural tube known as what?
Ventricular zone
What part of the brain does the neural tube give rise?
The ventricular system
What process refers to the movement of cells towards the outer layers of the cortex?
Cell migration
Rakic’s (2009) primitive map of the cortex suggest what about the predisposition of cells?
Cells born in certain regions are predisposed to migrate to certain cortical locations
Cell migration occurs with the help of what 2 things?
Chemical signals and physical support
Physical support during cell migration is provided by what type of cell?
Radial glial cells
How do radial glial cells support cell migration?
They elongate, allowing cells to climb along them
Name the two ways that cells move across radial glial cells
They either climb up the glial poles, or they move horizontally
At what age does cell migration typically stop
Around 3 months post natal
What do dendritic spines allow for?
Greater reach for the cell
During differentiation, a process called induction refers to what process?
The cell-cell interactions via the secretion of chemicals, where cells can influence neighbouring cells
Dendritic arborization is also known as what?
Branching
Synaptogenesis is the process of what?
The formation of synapses
Synaptogenesis is guided by the growing end of an axon which is called what?
Growth cone
Growth cones develop thin extensions called?
filopodia
What is the connection between growth cones and target sites?
They are attracted to the chemicals released from the target sites
Filopedia can make contact with other cells in two ways. Name these
contact guidance and chemotropism
Filopedia can be guided by CAMs and what else?
Tropic molecules
Once contact has been made between two cells, they induce each other to construct machinery to help them attach to one another. What are these machinery?
Neurexins and neuroligins
What is apoptosis?
Cell death
The process of cell death is evolutionary and known as what?
Neural Darwinism
In order to survive apoptosis a neuron will need to receive what from its target cells
Neurotrophins
Name one protein in the neurotrophic group
Nerve growth factor
To survive, a neuron will also need to actively what, with other neurons?
Communicate
What cells aid myelination?
Glial cells
What is the role of Myelin?
Speeds up transmission
In the PNS what cells aid myelination?
Shwann cells
In the CNS what cells aid myelination?
Oligodendrocytes
Nottebohm in the 70s and 80s discovered what about the brains of songbirds?
They found new cells and neurons in the brains of these birds
According to the primative map, cells that are produced in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles migrate where?
The olfactory bulb
Name one area of the brain that continuously divides to produce new neurons
Olfactory epithelium
What is the rostral migratory stream (RMS)?
The long term migration pathway towards the olfactory bulb
In the RMS, what substance wraps around the migrating neurons to create a pipeline that keeps them on the right path?
Astrocytes
Where in the brain would the dendrate gyrus be found?
Hippocampus
What is collateral sprouting?
The process following injury, where axons and dendrites of undamaged neurons, attach to the vacant spots
Give an example of a brain adaptation
Blind people have increased tactile sensitivity
What was found by Burton et al (2002) in relation to blind people?
When reading braille, brain scans showed activity in the occipital lobe
Rats raised in enriched environments develop a thicker what, and have increased what?
cortex and dendritic branching
Blakemore & Cooper 1970 showed what?
cats raised in tubes showing one line orientation did not develop the ability to see other orientations
Give 2 examples in the prenatal environment that can affect brain development
Any of: activation of the mothers immune system, mothers malnutrition, substance abuse, complications during pregnancy
