Brain and Nervous System Chapter 6 + 7

Question 1

Developmental Plasticity

Answer 1

• developmental plasticity is the ability for synapses to be modified
• the development and the consolidation of neural pathways (in babies, children, adolescents)
• this is a time of heightened brain plasticity, meaning its easier to learn new skills.
• greater plasticity in childhood means the brain is able to use parts of the brain to form alternative pathways to damaged ways.

Question 2

adaptive plasticity

Answer 2

• adaptive plasticity is where the brain changes as a result of learning and new experiences
• stems cells in the brain continue to create neurons throughout life, enabling the brain to adapt and cope with any new experiences
• the more difficult cognitive activities a person undertakes and the more active the brain is, the more plastic it stays throughout life

Question 3

Plasticity

Answer 3

• plasticity refers to the way the brain changes in response to stimulation from the environment

Question 4

Development of the Nervous System

Answer 4

1. proliferation - where unborn baby’s cells become neurons (divide and multiply - new cells)
2. migration - newly formed neurons move outward to their destined location in the CNS (location determines the function of the neuron)
   3 - circuit formation - axons of neurons grow out to target cells (synaptogenesis)
   4 - synaptic pruning - eliminating excess neurons and synapses not connected
   5 - myelination - axons are insulated with myelin

Question 5

brain development (infancy)

Question 6

brain development (adolescence)

Answer 6

• cerebellum - increase in number of neurons and synapses in the cerebellum
• amygdala - more active during adolescence
• corpus collosum - the corpus collosum thickens and increase in connections between hemispheres
• frontal lobe - motor movement and higher ordering of thinking

Question 7

Sensitive Periods

Answer 7

• sensitive periods are the best or optimal times for developing specific things
• during a sensitive period, the growing brain needs specific types of stimulation in order to establish neural pathways.
• e.g. infants must be exposed to language in the first year of life to allow them to use and understand language.

Question 8

Critical Periods

Question 9

Brain Trauma and Concussion

Answer 9

• head injuries are a common cause of brain damage
• concussion is when a person experiences loss of consciousness for a period of time and may lead to temporary/permanent brain damage

Question 10

Types of Amnesia (during a concussion)

Answer 10

• retrograde amnesia - forgetting events that took place before the injury
• anterograde amnesia - inability to remember events that occurred after the trauma

Question 11

Aphasia