Week 2 Flashcards
Define Neuron
Nerve cell
Define Axon
Carries messages to other cells
Define Synapse
Gap between axon and dendrite
Define Neurotransmitter
Chemical substance that carries messages across synapses
Define Dendrites
Neuron that receives messages from other cells
Define Myelination
Process by which axons are insulated with fatty cells- improve speed
Define Brain Plasticity
Capacity of brain to change and develop new neural connections
What are the four stages of Brain Development?
Infancy
Early Childhood
Middle Childhood
Adolescence
What are the characteristics of Infancy? (3 facts)
Need high quality nutrition
Need high quality life experience
Needs warm and secure emotional attachment
What are the characteristics of Early Childhood? (2 facts)
Growth in frontal region helps executive function skills
Toxic Stress -> reduces neuronal network (problems with development)
Can recover from toxic stress damage
What are the characteristics of Middle Childhood? (4 facts)
Brain is 90% adult size
Growth in Cerebral cortex
Mylineation helps neural networks operate more efficiently
Executive skills continue to grow
Children are better able to follow rules/diverse topics/speak with clarity
What are the characteristics of Adolescence? (3 facts)
Pruning of unnecessary neuroma and synapse (less dense)
Prefrontal cortex (final part of the brain to develop) -> risk taking
Excessive drinking can effect brain development
Define cognition
Mental process led involved in perceiving, attending to, understanding and recalling information
Define assimilation
We fit new information into existing schemes
Define accomodation
We fit new ideas into new schemes
