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Psych 230 exam 2 > 4. Life-Span Development of the Brain and Behavior > Flashcards

4. Life-Span Development of the Brain and Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

The mature human brain has over _______ neurons and _______ synaptic connections

A

80 billion, 100 trillion

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2
Q

The developing nervous system relies on:

A

genetic info, experience, and environment

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3
Q

Zygote

A

Fertilized egg (egg + sperm)

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4
Q

Human embryo develops 3 cell layers

A

Process of gastrulation:
Endoderm
Mesoderm
Ectoderm

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5
Q

Ectoderm

A

Outer layer, becomes the nervous system

As it thickens, grown into a flat neural plate

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6
Q

Neural groove

A

Uneven rates of cell division form the neural groove, which will become the midline

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7
Q

Neural tube

A

Forms from the neural ridges, which will become the CNS

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8
Q

Neural crest cells

A

Form the PNS

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9
Q

3 subdivisions of the anterior part of the neural tube

A

Forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain

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10
Q

Interior of neural tube becomes the ________

A

cerebral ventricles

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11
Q

Genotype

A

Sum of all the genetic info that we inherit

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12
Q

Phenotype

A

Sum of physical characteristics that make up an individual

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13
Q

Most cells are influenced by:

A

intrinsic factors (internal) AND extrinsic factors (environmental)

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14
Q

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

A

Recessive genetic disorder where individual cannot metabolize phenylalanine, an amino acid present in a variety of food types

If the individual consumes these things, brain can be damaged from buildup of phenylalanine

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15
Q

How to live with PKU

A

If you reduce the amount of phenylalanine in their diet, you can save the brain from damaging effects

Change the outcome of genes by influencing their experiences

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16
Q

Example of genes and experience having different outcomes

A

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

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17
Q

Development of the nervous system can be divided into 6 stages

A

Neurogenesis
Cell migration
Differentiation
Synaptogenesis
Neuronal cell death
Synapse rearrangement

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18
Q

Neurogenesis

A

Mitotic production of neurons from neuronal cells

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19
Q

Cell migration

A

Movement of cells to establish distinct populations

20
Q

Differentiation

A

Transformation of precursor cells into distinctive neurons or glial cells

21
Q

Synaptogenesis

A

Establishment of synaptic connections

22
Q

Neuronal cell death

A

Selective death of many nerve cells

23
Q

Synapse rearrangement

A

Loss or development of synapses to refine synaptic connections

24
Q

Process of neurogenesis

A

Cells divide through mitosis and form the ventricular zone

Many more cells are born than will be needed

25
Example of cell fate determined ONLY by intrinsic factors
Mitotic lineage: In the nematode, C. elegans, researchers can follow the development of every neuron
26
Development in vertebrates
Development is shaped by cell-cell interactions Extrinsic factor; less predetermined Adds much more flexibility– if a cell is missing during development, other cells can take its place
27
Process of cell migration
Cells move away from ventricular layer In cerebral cortex, radial glial cells act as guides for cells to migrate along to make cortical columns
28
Inside-out development
Cells establish themselves close to the ventricular layer, and as new cells are born, they move over the existing cells
29
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)
Proteins on cell surfaces that guide migration when cells migrate further distances Important for populating cerebral cortex and guiding neurons that have to move outward (tangentially)
30
Migrating cells have _____ that respond to chemicals in the environment and those released by target cells
growth cones
31
Chemoattractants
Chemical signals that attract certain growth cones
32
Chemorepellents
Repel growth cones
33
Filopodia
Outgrowths of growth cones and important for detecting and processing environmental signals (also important for movement) They adhere to CAMs in the environment and pull the growth cone in a particular direction
34
Process of cell differetiation
In vertebrates, young neural cells have the capacity to become many varieties of neurons The type of cell it will become can be limited as it travels based on extracellular factors it comes into contact with When cells reach their destinations, they express specific genes to make the proteins they need for their cell type
35
What is the purpose of cell differentiation?
Allows a cell to acquire its specific appearance and function for its final destination The use of extrinsic factors to guide differentiation offers more flexibility than using intrinsic factors
36
Process of synaptogenesis
Biggest change in brain cells after birth is growth of axons and dendrites– development of synapses (synaptogenesis) Extensions emerge from growth cones at the tips of axons and dendrites, and synapses form rapidly on dendrites and dendritic spines The most intense phase of myelination occurs shortly after birth, extending into young adulthood
37
Process of cell death
Also called apoptosis Many more cells are born than the brain needs So that you only undergo neurogenesis once, easier to make extra than to not have enough Cells that undergo apoptosis aren’t damaged – they’re just not needed Cells have death genes that are expressed only during apoptosis, and this process is highly regulated
38
Caspases
a family of proteases that cut up proteins and DNA; these are turned on to begin apoptosis
39
Neurotrophic factors
Neurons compete for chemicals that target cells make, called neurotrophic factors Without enough, they die
40
Nerve growth factor (NGF)
A neurotrophic protein essential for the survival of nerve neurons during development
41
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
A protein in the brain and spinal cord that helps nerve cells survive, grow, and mature
42
Process of synapse rearrangement
Synapse rearrangement, or synaptic modeling, refines synaptic connections This stage continues throughout our lifetime Thinning of gray matter in cortex as brain develops from back to front
43
fragile X syndrome
Normal pruning of synapses after birth is blocked, resulting in mental impairment
44
Environmental factors can limit brain development
Ex: hypoxia-- lack of oxygen during birth that affects the brain Ex: undernourished mothers --> underweight children w brain abnormalities due to lack of nutrients Ex: drug and alcohol use
45
Behavioral teratology
studies pathological effects of early exposure to toxic substances
46
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Abnormal smallness of cerebral cortex No corpus callosum connecting the two hemispheres

Psych 230 exam 2 (7 decks)

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