Neurodevelopment

Question 1

Cell birth is also known as what?

Answer 1

Cell proliferation

Question 2

What two processes occur during cell proliferation?

(genesis)

Answer 2

Neurogenesis and gliogensis

Question 3

Why does neurogenesis not result from neuronal division?

Answer 3

Neurons don’t divide

Question 4

Stem cells, or immature cells, divide to form what type of cells?

Answer 4

Progenitor/precursor cells

Question 5

What two types of cells can progenitor cells become?

Answer 5

Neuroblast or glioblast

Question 6

Santiago Ramon & Cajal found that cells undergoing mitosis were always closer to the inner surface of the neural tube known as what?

Answer 6

Ventricular zone

Question 7

What part of the brain does the neural tube give rise?

Answer 7

The ventricular system

Question 8

What process refers to the movement of cells towards the outer layers of the cortex?

Answer 8

Cell migration

Question 9

Rakic’s (2009) primitive map of the cortex suggest what about the predisposition of cells?

Answer 9

Cells born in certain regions are predisposed to migrate to certain cortical locations

Question 10

Cell migration occurs with the help of what 2 things?

Answer 10

Chemical signals and physical support

Question 11

Physical support during cell migration is provided by what type of cell?

Answer 11

Radial glial cells

Question 12

How do radial glial cells support cell migration?

Answer 12

They elongate, allowing cells to climb along them

Question 13

Name the two ways that cells move across radial glial cells

Answer 13

They either climb up the glial poles, or they move horizontally

Question 14

At what age does cell migration typically stop

Answer 14

Around 3 months post natal

Question 15

What do dendritic spines allow for?

Answer 15

Greater reach for the cell

Question 16

During differentiation, a process called induction refers to what process?

Answer 16

The cell-cell interactions via the secretion of chemicals, where cells can influence neighbouring cells

Question 17

Dendritic arborization is also known as what?

Answer 17

Branching

Question 18

Synaptogenesis is the process of what?

Answer 18

The formation of synapses

Question 19

Synaptogenesis is guided by the growing end of an axon which is called what?

Answer 19

Growth cone

Question 20

Growth cones develop thin extensions called?

Answer 20

filopodia

Question 21

What is the connection between growth cones and target sites?

Answer 21

They are attracted to the chemicals released from the target sites

Question 22

Filopedia can make contact with other cells in two ways. Name these

Answer 22

contact guidance and chemotropism

Question 23

Filopedia can be guided by CAMs and what else?

Answer 23

Tropic molecules

Question 24

Once contact has been made between two cells, they induce each other to construct machinery to help them attach to one another. What are these machinery?

Answer 24

Neurexins and neuroligins

Question 25

What is apoptosis?

Answer 25

Cell death

Question 26

The process of cell death is evolutionary and known as what?

Answer 26

Neural Darwinism

Question 27

In order to survive apoptosis a neuron will need to receive what from its target cells

Answer 27

Neurotrophins

Question 28

Name one protein in the neurotrophic group

Answer 28

Nerve growth factor

Question 29

To survive, a neuron will also need to actively what, with other neurons?

Answer 29

Communicate

Question 30

What cells aid myelination?

Answer 30

Glial cells

Question 31

What is the role of Myelin?

Answer 31

Speeds up transmission

Question 32

In the PNS what cells aid myelination?

Answer 32

Shwann cells

Question 33

In the CNS what cells aid myelination?

Answer 33

Oligodendrocytes

Question 34

Nottebohm in the 70s and 80s discovered what about the brains of songbirds?

Answer 34

They found new cells and neurons in the brains of these birds

Question 35

According to the primative map, cells that are produced in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles migrate where?

Answer 35

The olfactory bulb

Question 36

Name one area of the brain that continuously divides to produce new neurons

Answer 36

Olfactory epithelium

Question 37

What is the rostral migratory stream (RMS)?

Answer 37

The long term migration pathway towards the olfactory bulb

Question 38

In the RMS, what substance wraps around the migrating neurons to create a pipeline that keeps them on the right path?

Answer 38

Astrocytes

Question 39

Where in the brain would the dendrate gyrus be found?

Answer 39

Hippocampus

Question 40

What is collateral sprouting?

Answer 40

The process following injury, where axons and dendrites of undamaged neurons, attach to the vacant spots

Question 41

Give an example of a brain adaptation

Answer 41

Blind people have increased tactile sensitivity

Question 42

What was found by Burton et al (2002) in relation to blind people?

Answer 42

When reading braille, brain scans showed activity in the occipital lobe

Question 43

Rats raised in enriched environments develop a thicker what, and have increased what?

Answer 43

cortex and dendritic branching

Question 44

Blakemore & Cooper 1970 showed what?

Answer 44

cats raised in tubes showing one line orientation did not develop the ability to see other orientations

Question 45

Give 2 examples in the prenatal environment that can affect brain development

Answer 45

Any of: activation of the mothers immune system, mothers malnutrition, substance abuse, complications during pregnancy