43 Questions
During which stage of prenatal development does the formation of major organs occur?
Embryonic Period
Which layer of the embryo gives rise to neurons and cells of the skin?
Ectoderm
What is the term for the genetically programmed cell death that occurs during prenatal development?
Apoptosis
Which period of prenatal development is characterized by organ systems beginning to function and significant growth?
Fetal Period
What is the term for the process of cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells?
Mitoses
During which period of prenatal development does the neural tube develop into the brain and spinal cord?
Embryonic Period
What is the term for the period of rapid growth and refinement of organ systems during prenatal development?
Fetal Period
During which stage of brain development does the formation of the neural tube occur?
Neurulation
When does neurogenesis begin?
42 days after conception
What is the purpose of synaptogenesis?
To produce more synapses than will actually be used
What is the role of pruning in brain development?
To determine which synapses will live or die
What is the function of myelin in the brain?
To insulate axons so that signals can travel faster
Which of the following is an example of experience-expectant plasticity?
The brain adapting in response to ubiquitous sensory information
What is the difference between a critical period and a sensitive period?
A critical period is a very narrow period during which a particular experience must occur, while a sensitive period is a developmental stage during which the brain is most susceptible to experiences
Which term refers to the observable expression of an individual's genetic material, including body characteristics and behavior?
Phenotype
What is the function of genes in the human body?
They build specific proteins
What is the term for the combination of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to an individual's development?
Development
Which term refers to the genetic material an individual inherits?
Genotype
What is the term for the interaction between genotype and environment that can cause a given genotype to develop differently in different environments?
Phenotype-environment interaction
What is the term for the small segments of DNA that make up each chromosome?
Genes
Which term refers to the different forms of the same gene?
Allele
What is the term for the process that silences gene expression and creates stable changes in gene expression?
Methylation
How do genes and environment interact to produce adult outcomes?
Genes and environment interact probabilistically to produce adult outcomes
Which of the following is NOT a hazard that can harm a developing embryo or fetus?
Nutrition
What is the leading cause of fetal brain injury?
Alcohol consumption
Which of the following is NOT a possible effect of teratogen exposure?
Higher IQ
Which of the following is true about the effects of teratogens?
The same defect can be caused by different teratogens
Which of the following is NOT a basic unit of the brain?
Cerebellum
Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is responsible for touch, pain, and body position?
Parietal lobe
Which brain region is responsible for higher level functions and emotion regulation?
Prefrontal cortex
True or false: Development is solely determined by genetic factors.
False
True or false: Most human characteristics are determined by the activity of one gene.
False
True or false: The environment has no impact on a child's phenotype.
False
What is the role of experience-dependent plasticity in brain development?
Experience-dependent plasticity refers to the changes in the brain that occur as a result of an individual's unique personal experiences. It involves the formation of new synapses throughout the lifespan. Examples of experience-dependent plasticity include the brain changes observed in adult violin players and London cab drivers.
Define genotype and phenotype.
Genotype refers to the genetic material an individual inherits, while phenotype refers to the observable expression of the genotype, including body characteristics and behavior.
How does the environment impact phenotypes?
The environment, which includes every aspect of the individual and their surroundings, can impact phenotypes. For example, individuals tend to hang out with people who look like them. Additionally, the environment can influence gene expression and how a given genotype develops. The effects of the environment can be seen in the interaction between abusive parenting and a child's genotype, which can produce adult outcomes.
Explain the process of how a child's genotype determines their phenotype.
A child's genotype is determined by the combination of genes they inherit from both biological parents. Each gene has multiple different forms called alleles, and a child has two alleles for every gene, one from each parent. The activity of genes, determined by their expression, influences the development of certain characteristics. Some characteristics, such as ABO blood type, are determined by the activity of one gene, while most human characteristics are polygenic, meaning they are dependent on multiple genes. The effect of any particular gene or set of genes is probabilistic, meaning it cannot predict with certainty how a person will express a particular trait.
What is the impact of the environment on a child's phenotype?
The environment plays a crucial role in shaping a child's phenotype. The continuous interaction between genotype and environment means that a given genotype may develop differently in different environments. For example, the presence of phenylketonuria (PKU), a condition where individuals are unable to process certain amino acids, can lead to severe intellectual disability and brain damage if they continue to consume foods containing those amino acids. The effects of abusive parenting can also interact with a child's genotype to produce specific outcomes in adulthood. Therefore, the environment can have a significant impact on a child's phenotypic development.
How do children impact their own environment?
Children are active creators of their own environments. They have the ability to evoke certain responses from others based on their characteristics. For example, cute children are more likely to be talked to as if they are more intelligent. Additionally, children may select surroundings and experiences that match their interests, talents, and personality characteristics. This active role in selecting and shaping their environments can have a significant impact on their development.
How can a child's environment influence their genotype?
Although the structure of DNA remains fixed, certain epigenetic mechanisms can alter the functioning of genes. One such mechanism is methylation, which can silence gene expression and create stable changes in gene expression. These changes can be influenced by the child's environment. For example, early life stress has been shown to lead to more than 100 genes varying in methylation. Some of these changes can even be passed on to future generations.
What is the function of genes in the human body?
Genes contain the instructions for building specific proteins in the human body. Proteins play a critical role in various biological processes and are essential for the proper functioning of cells and organs.
What is the term for the period of rapid growth and refinement of organ systems during prenatal development?
The term for the period of rapid growth and refinement of organ systems during prenatal development is called organogenesis.
How do genes and the environment interact to produce adult outcomes?
Genes and the environment interact in a complex manner to influence the development of individuals and produce adult outcomes. While genes provide the genetic blueprint, the environment can modify gene expression and determine how a given genotype develops. This interaction can be seen in the effects of abusive parenting on a child's genotype, which can lead to specific outcomes in adulthood.
Study Notes
Prenatal Development
- Formation of major organs occurs during the embryonic stage (weeks 3-8)
- Ectoderm layer gives rise to neurons and cells of the skin
- Apoptosis is the genetically programmed cell death that occurs during prenatal development
- Fetal period (weeks 9-38) is characterized by organ systems beginning to function and significant growth
Cell Division and Brain Development
- Mitosis is the process of cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells
- Neural tube develops into the brain and spinal cord during the embryonic stage
- Neurulation is the process of neural tube formation, occurring around 3-4 weeks
- Neurogenesis begins during the embryonic stage
- Synaptogenesis is the process of forming connections between neurons, important for learning and memory
- Pruning is the process of eliminating unnecessary neural connections, refining synaptic connections
- Myelin is a fatty insulation that surrounds and protects neuron axons, facilitating neural transmission
Genetics and Environment
- Phenotype refers to the observable expression of an individual's genetic material, including body characteristics and behavior
- Genes code for the development and function of an organism, with the environment influencing their expression
- Epigenesis refers to the interaction between genotype and environment that can cause a given genotype to develop differently in different environments
- Genome is the genetic material an individual inherits
- Epigenetic modification is the process that silences gene expression and creates stable changes in gene expression
- Genes and environment interact to produce adult outcomes through complex interplay
- Alleles refer to the different forms of the same gene
- Chromosomes are composed of small segments of DNA called genes
Brain Development and Function
- Cerebral cortex is responsible for higher-level functions and emotion regulation
- Parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex is responsible for touch, pain, and body position
- Experience-dependent plasticity refers to the process of neural reorganization based on experience
Teratogens and Hazards
- Teratogens are substances that can harm a developing embryo or fetus
- Fetal alcohol syndrome is an example of a teratogen's effects
- Maternal infection is a hazard that can harm a developing embryo or fetus
- Fetal brain injury is often caused by maternal infection or teratogen exposure
Test your knowledge on the stages of brain development with this quiz. Learn about neurulation, neurogenesis, circuit formation, and more. Challenge yourself and discover how the brain develops from formation of the neural tube to synaptic pruning.
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