Topic 2: Brain Development and Mental Health Flashcards
Neurogenesis
The process of forming new neurons.
Example sentence: Neurogenesis occurs in the hippocampus throughout life.
Synaptogenesis
The formation of connections between neurons.
Example sentence: Synaptogenesis is essential for learning and memory.
Synaptic pruning
The elimination of unused or inefficient neural connections.
Example sentence: Synaptic pruning helps refine neural circuits during development.
Critical periods
Specific timeframes during development when certain experiences are crucial for optimal brain development.
Example sentence: Language acquisition has critical periods in early childhood.
Sensitive periods
Timeframes during development when the brain is particularly responsive to certain experiences, but not as strictly defined as critical periods.
Example sentence: Sensitive periods for socialization can extend into adolescence.
Gene-environment interactions
The interplay between genes and the environment in shaping development.
Example sentence: Gene-environment interactions play a role in determining susceptibility to mental health disorders.
Epigenetics
The study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.
Example sentence: Epigenetics explores how diet can impact gene expression.
Developmental disorders
Conditions that arise from disruptions in brain development, often leading to cognitive and behavioral challenges.
Example sentence: Autism spectrum disorder is a common developmental disorder.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
A developmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
Example sentence: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can result in intellectual disabilities and physical abnormalities.
Down Syndrome
A genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
Example sentence: Down Syndrome is associated with characteristic facial features and intellectual disabilities.
