Key Concepts

Question 1

What are the four stages of development?

Answer 1

Pre-natal, childhood, adolescence, adulthood.

Question 2

What happens to the brain in the pre-natal stage?

Answer 2

1st trimester - brain develops quickly, neural tube develops, forms the spinal cord and brain.
2nd trimester - brain connects to all body parts, becomes neurones and nervous system.
3rd trimester - rapid growth and creation of neurones.

Question 3

What happens to the brain in childhood?

Answer 3

Big growth spurt, frontal lobe develops, grey matter peaks.

Question 4

What happens to the brain during adolescence?

Answer 4

Grey matter pruned away, pre-frontal cortex is still developing so they rely on the limbic system for decision making, this means for risky and emotional behaviour.

Question 5

What happens to the brain in adulthood?

Answer 5

Brain’s volume decreases and ventricles expand, changes take place in the frontal and temporal lobe.

Question 6

How are IQ tests used to measure intelligence?

Answer 6

Measure cognitive ability with questions with one right answer.

Question 7

What do neurones do?

Answer 7

Carries messages to other parts of the body, form links with eachother - synapses.