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PSY290 > Lecture 7: Brain Development > Flashcards

Lecture 7: Brain Development Flashcards

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1
Q

key developments of brain occur…

A

during first two month period of gestation

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2
Q

fertilization

A

Fusion of gametes (sperm and egg)

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3
Q

How does sperm fertilize an egg?

A
  • Sperm releases enzymes that digest protein coat around egg
  • Sperm head fuses to egg cell membrane
  • Tail separates from head and male nucleus enlarges and travels to female nucleus for nuclei fusion
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4
Q

Zona pellucida

A

protein coat around egg

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5
Q

zygote

A

first cell of human body

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6
Q

morula

A

ball of cells

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7
Q

blastocyst

A

embryonic structure with cavity (contains fluid called blastocoele (around by day 6)

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8
Q

Why is mitochondria maternally inherited?

A

Paternal mitochondria is housed in the tail of the sperm which is cut off (not included in zygote).

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9
Q

Implantation

A

embedding of blastocyst into uterine lining around day 7, continuing on during day 8 and 9.

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10
Q

Blastodisc

A

What the blastocyst divides into after implantation: inner cell mass that develops into two layers of cells (epiblast and hypoblast).

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11
Q

Where does fertilization occur

A

in the uterine tube

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12
Q

Why is the inner cell mass of the blastocyst so important?

A

Contains undifferentiated cells—embryonic stem cells. Limitless potential.

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13
Q

When can you procure embryonic stem cells?

A

Before the blastodisc forms (cells have differentiated) so around day 8 or 9

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14
Q

Gastrulation

A

Occurs around day 12. Top layer of cells (epiblast) start to migrate toward inside of embryo along linear streak called the primitive streak (ventral area) Two cells layers become three cells layers: ectoderm (outermost), mesoderm (middle), and endoderm (innermost).

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15
Q

What does gastrulation determine?

A

Body axis

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16
Q

Ectoderm

A

becomes nervous system and epidermis (skin)

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17
Q

Endoderm

A

becomes GI tract, respiratory tract, endocrine glands

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18
Q

mesoderm

A

becomes everything else (muscles, bones, cartilage, blood, blood vessels, genitourinary system).

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19
Q

What happens around day 18 of embryonic development?

A

Patch of cells on ectoderm becomes neural plate

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20
Q

What does the neural plate develop into?

A

The nervous system. Rest of ectoderm becomes skin.

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21
Q

Which layer of cells does the notochord form from?

A

Mesoderm. Notochord forms under the neural plate.

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22
Q

What occurs around day 20 of embryonic development?

A

After neural plate forms, it starts to roll up to form the neural groove which fuses to form the neural tube which becomes the brain and the spinal cord.

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23
Q

What’s important about the cells from the fusion site of the neural tube?

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A

Some are pinched off and become a cluster of cells called neural crest cells (become cells in dorsal root ganglia).

24
Q

When is the neural tube formation complete?

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A

around day 22.

25
What does the cavity in the neural tube become?
The cerebral ventricles in brain and the central canal in spinal cord.
26
Which part of the neural tube gives rise to spinal cord and which to the brain?
Most of tube becomes spinal cord (bottom part). Anterior portion enlarges to form three vesicles: forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain.
27
What causes the neural tube to thicken?
Cell divisions
28
Neural crest cells
cells that are pinched off to become dorsal root ganglia when neural tube fuses
29
Neural progenitor cells
cells that become neurons and glia in neural tube. Like neural stem cells.
30
Two zones of neural tube
Marginal zone (outer, like margins) and ventricular zone (inner). Progenitor cells divide more in the inner zone.
31
Initial stage of cell division
A LOT of division, not a lot of neural genesis. Two identical daughter cells are produced from division AKA its symmetrical
32
Why does division of cells in neural tube become asymmetrical? Why does it start as symmetrical?
Division starts as symmetrical because a certain number of cells must be produced first (volume thing). Asymmetrical division starts when enough cells have been produced and division starts to yield one daughter cell (progenitor) and one neuron.
33
What do newly born neurons do?
Migrate away from ventricular zine to marginal zone (thickening the neural tube)
34
What cells help neurons migrate?
radial glial cells provide mechanical support for neuronal radial migration as the neural tube thickens (harder to migrate)
35
What forms the neocortex? How many layers of neocortex are there?
Neocortex is formed inside out as neurons migrate. Six layers are made.
36
CAMs
Cell-adhesion molecules. Help the alignment of similar neurons by helping them bind.
37
What happens after neuron migration
neurons seek out similar types of neurons and align themselves to form structures (nuclei, layers) and then axon and dendrites grow.
38
Pioneer axons
small number of axons that leave a structure to find a target.
39
Guidepost cells
series of chemical signals—attractants and repellents that guide axon path. Like stepping stones.
40
Is the cell body important for axon growth?
No!! Axons without cell bodies can grow and correctly find their targets. All axon growing structures are contained in tip of growing axon
41
Growth cone
tip of growing axon. Contains all necessary structures for axon growth.
42
Filopodia
membranous structures on growth cone of axon; expresses a lot of receptors for guidepost cells (attractants/repellents)
43
What happens when an axon finds its target?
Growth cone differentiates into a presynaptic terminal, and postsynaptic cell surface begins to differentiate into a postsynaptic site.
44
What must be maintained for synapse formation
chemical signals must be exchanged and maintained between growth cones and post synaptic neurons for a synapse to form
45
Neuron migration becomes increasingly difficult as more neurons are produced. How about axon growth?
Axon growing becomes less difficult as newer axons can follow pathways laid down by pioneer axons to form axon bundles.
46
Fasciculation
tendency of developing axons to grow along the paths established by preceding axons
47
Neuronal death
Neurotropic factors released from postsynaptic target cells keep presynaptic cells healthy. Without this, neurons die.
48
Apoptosis
genetically programmed cell death (occurs in neurons if synapse contact fails)
49
What is a normal part of brain development?
Apoptosis. Neurons are overproduced and peak at week 10 gestation but are then culled before reaching adult levels around 26 weeks gestation.
50
What occurs to remaining neurons after normal neuronal death?
myelination
51
Major neuroevents in postnatal development
Synaptic pruning: inactive synapses degenerate | adult neurogenesis: new neurons are produced TO A LIMITED DEGREE
52
Why is synaptic pruning a good thing?
sharpens neural connections leading to an increased selectivity of neural signals. Original neuronal network is a diffuse pattern of synaptic contact.
53
When does synaptic density in visual cortex peak?
Around 7 to 8 months post natal
54
Which regions mature first (# synapses peak and then are culled)? Which are last?
- First: regions infants need for survival (visual and auditory cortex) - Later: prefrontal cortex which is involved in working memory, planning, executive function
55
Where does adult neurogenesis occur?
subventricular zone along lateral ventricles - new born neurons migrate and integrate in olfactory bulb At hippocampus (dentate gyrus)
56
What encourages hippocampal neurogenesis
Enriched environment and exercise

PSY290 (3 decks)

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