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Questions and Answers
What is the primary location where improvements in achievement test scores occurred in New York City schools?
What is the primary location where improvements in achievement test scores occurred in New York City schools?
What is the long-range impact of early diet on behavioral functioning?
What is the long-range impact of early diet on behavioral functioning?
What can reduce the impact of poor nutrition on cognitive development?
What can reduce the impact of poor nutrition on cognitive development?
What is the focus of the discussion in section 2.3?
What is the focus of the discussion in section 2.3?
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What is the result of intervening to reduce one risk factor, such as malnutrition?
What is the result of intervening to reduce one risk factor, such as malnutrition?
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What can helping professionals better understand by giving attention to the workings of the central nervous system?
What can helping professionals better understand by giving attention to the workings of the central nervous system?
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What is a characteristic of kwashiorkor?
What is a characteristic of kwashiorkor?
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What was the outcome of the study on New York City schools' food supply?
What was the outcome of the study on New York City schools' food supply?
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What is the name of the gene that was found to be demethylated in individuals exposed to famine early in gestation?
What is the name of the gene that was found to be demethylated in individuals exposed to famine early in gestation?
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What is a potential effect of prenatal nutrition on cognitive development?
What is a potential effect of prenatal nutrition on cognitive development?
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What is a factor that influences the kind of epigenetic change that occurs in response to famine?
What is a factor that influences the kind of epigenetic change that occurs in response to famine?
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What is the result of therapeutic diets on children with kwashiorkor?
What is the result of therapeutic diets on children with kwashiorkor?
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What was the outcome for babies whose mothers received a protein supplement during pregnancy?
What was the outcome for babies whose mothers received a protein supplement during pregnancy?
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What is the consequence of a fetus being unable to build adequate stores of iron?
What is the consequence of a fetus being unable to build adequate stores of iron?
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What was the cause of the food shortage in the western part of The Netherlands during World War II?
What was the cause of the food shortage in the western part of The Netherlands during World War II?
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What is the term for the changes at the cellular level that result from prenatal exposure to famine?
What is the term for the changes at the cellular level that result from prenatal exposure to famine?
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What is a long-term consequence of prenatal exposure to famine, according to the research?
What is a long-term consequence of prenatal exposure to famine, according to the research?
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What is the term for the process by which the environment influences gene expression during fetal development?
What is the term for the process by which the environment influences gene expression during fetal development?
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What is the effect of a history of anemia on later school performance?
What is the effect of a history of anemia on later school performance?
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What type of research design was used to study the effects of the Dutch famine on the developing fetus?
What type of research design was used to study the effects of the Dutch famine on the developing fetus?
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The hippocampus is a part of the brain that plays a central role in reactions to happiness.
The hippocampus is a part of the brain that plays a central role in reactions to happiness.
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Rat pups reared by high LG foster mothers grew up to be more aggressive than rat pups reared by low LG foster mothers.
Rat pups reared by high LG foster mothers grew up to be more aggressive than rat pups reared by low LG foster mothers.
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Meaney and colleagues found that the offspring of “high LG” mothers grow up to be more reactive to stressful events than the offspring of “low LG” mothers.
Meaney and colleagues found that the offspring of “high LG” mothers grow up to be more reactive to stressful events than the offspring of “low LG” mothers.
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The cross-fostering studies showed that it is the genes passed on by the mothers that influence low stress reactivity, not the mothers’ care.
The cross-fostering studies showed that it is the genes passed on by the mothers that influence low stress reactivity, not the mothers’ care.
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Pups who receive extra maternal care respond to stress hormones in the same way as other rats.
Pups who receive extra maternal care respond to stress hormones in the same way as other rats.
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The hippocampus is not involved in the recovery from stress arousal.
The hippocampus is not involved in the recovery from stress arousal.
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Maternal stimulation of a rat pup causes permanent changes in the regulatory DNA of the pup’s hippocampus.
Maternal stimulation of a rat pup causes permanent changes in the regulatory DNA of the pup’s hippocampus.
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The hypothalamus directly releases stress hormones in response to emotional messages.
The hypothalamus directly releases stress hormones in response to emotional messages.
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Demethylation of regulatory DNA in the hippocampus leads to a decrease in stress hormone receptors.
Demethylation of regulatory DNA in the hippocampus leads to a decrease in stress hormone receptors.
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The limbic system is only connected to the hypothalamus.
The limbic system is only connected to the hypothalamus.
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Mellow female rats are more likely to be neglectful mothers to their pups.
Mellow female rats are more likely to be neglectful mothers to their pups.
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Epigenetic changes caused by maternal behavior are reversed after the first week of life.
Epigenetic changes caused by maternal behavior are reversed after the first week of life.
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The medulla contains nuclei that control emotional functioning.
The medulla contains nuclei that control emotional functioning.
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The amygdala is responsible for assessing emotional messages slowly.
The amygdala is responsible for assessing emotional messages slowly.
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Research suggests that human infants’ physiological responses to stress may not be influenced by parental closeness and care.
Research suggests that human infants’ physiological responses to stress may not be influenced by parental closeness and care.
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The pons is involved in the regulation of emotional responses.
The pons is involved in the regulation of emotional responses.
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Identical twins always have identical phenotypes due to their identical genotype.
Identical twins always have identical phenotypes due to their identical genotype.
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Damage to the medulla area of the brain is always non-fatal.
Damage to the medulla area of the brain is always non-fatal.
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The limbic system is also known as the rational brain.
The limbic system is also known as the rational brain.
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The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system.
The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system.
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What is the role of the hippocampus in the reaction to stress?
What is the role of the hippocampus in the reaction to stress?
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What was the finding of Meaney and colleagues' cross-fostering studies?
What was the finding of Meaney and colleagues' cross-fostering studies?
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How do pups who receive extra maternal care respond to stress hormones?
How do pups who receive extra maternal care respond to stress hormones?
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What is the effect of high LG mothers' care on their offspring's behavior?
What is the effect of high LG mothers' care on their offspring's behavior?
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What is the typical response of the body to glucocorticoids?
What is the typical response of the body to glucocorticoids?
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What is the difference between the offspring of high LG and low LG mothers in terms of stress reactivity?
What is the difference between the offspring of high LG and low LG mothers in terms of stress reactivity?
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What is the effect of demethylation of regulatory DNA in the hippocampus of rat pups?
What is the effect of demethylation of regulatory DNA in the hippocampus of rat pups?
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What is the outcome of high LG maternal behavior on the hippocampus of rat pups?
What is the outcome of high LG maternal behavior on the hippocampus of rat pups?
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What is the result of cross-fostering studies on rat pups?
What is the result of cross-fostering studies on rat pups?
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How do rat pups that experience high LG maternal behavior respond to stress hormones?
How do rat pups that experience high LG maternal behavior respond to stress hormones?
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What is the effect of demethylation of regulatory DNA on behavioral responses to stress in rat pups?
What is the effect of demethylation of regulatory DNA on behavioral responses to stress in rat pups?
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What is the key finding in the study on the intergenerational transmission of maternal behavior in rats?
What is the key finding in the study on the intergenerational transmission of maternal behavior in rats?
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What is the primary function of the hypothalamus in regulating emotional responses?
What is the primary function of the hypothalamus in regulating emotional responses?
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What is the role of the limbic system in emotional functioning?
What is the role of the limbic system in emotional functioning?
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Which brain structure is responsible for rapidly assessing emotional messages?
Which brain structure is responsible for rapidly assessing emotional messages?
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What would be the consequence of damage to the medulla area of the brain?
What would be the consequence of damage to the medulla area of the brain?
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What is the function of the pons in the brain?
What is the function of the pons in the brain?
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What is the role of the hippocampus in the regulation of stress hormones?
What is the role of the hippocampus in the regulation of stress hormones?
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What is the connection between the limbic system and the cerebral cortex?
What is the connection between the limbic system and the cerebral cortex?
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What is the function of the medulla in the brain?
What is the function of the medulla in the brain?
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The hippocampus plays a central role in reactions to happiness.
The hippocampus plays a central role in reactions to happiness.
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Rat pups reared by high LG foster mothers grow up to be more aggressive than rat pups reared by low LG foster mothers.
Rat pups reared by high LG foster mothers grow up to be more aggressive than rat pups reared by low LG foster mothers.
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Pups who receive extra maternal care respond to stress hormones in the same way as other rats.
Pups who receive extra maternal care respond to stress hormones in the same way as other rats.
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The cross-fostering studies showed that it is the genes passed on by the mothers that influence low stress reactivity.
The cross-fostering studies showed that it is the genes passed on by the mothers that influence low stress reactivity.
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The hippocampus is not involved in the recovery from stress arousal.
The hippocampus is not involved in the recovery from stress arousal.
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Ordinarily, when glucocorticoids are produced, the body has been aroused for immediate action, without a recovery from this arousal.
Ordinarily, when glucocorticoids are produced, the body has been aroused for immediate action, without a recovery from this arousal.
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Maternal stimulation of a rat pup causes temporary changes in the regulatory DNA of the pup’s hippocampus.
Maternal stimulation of a rat pup causes temporary changes in the regulatory DNA of the pup’s hippocampus.
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Demethylation of regulatory DNA in the hippocampus leads to a decrease in stress hormone receptors.
Demethylation of regulatory DNA in the hippocampus leads to a decrease in stress hormone receptors.
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Epigenetic changes caused by maternal behavior are reversible.
Epigenetic changes caused by maternal behavior are reversible.
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Rat pups reared by high LG mothers grow up to be more reactive to stressful events.
Rat pups reared by high LG mothers grow up to be more reactive to stressful events.
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Identical twins always have identical phenotypes due to their identical genotype.
Identical twins always have identical phenotypes due to their identical genotype.
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Human infants' physiological responses to stress are not influenced by parental closeness and care.
Human infants' physiological responses to stress are not influenced by parental closeness and care.
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The hypothalamus directly releases stress hormones in response to emotional messages.
The hypothalamus directly releases stress hormones in response to emotional messages.
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The medulla contains nuclei that control emotional functioning.
The medulla contains nuclei that control emotional functioning.
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The limbic system is only connected to the hypothalamus.
The limbic system is only connected to the hypothalamus.
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Damage to the medulla area of the brain is always non-fatal.
Damage to the medulla area of the brain is always non-fatal.
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The amygdala rapidly assesses the emotional messages received from the cortex.
The amygdala rapidly assesses the emotional messages received from the cortex.
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The limbic system is also known as the rational brain.
The limbic system is also known as the rational brain.
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The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system.
The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system.
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Individuals with sleep disturbances can sometimes have abnormal activity in the medulla.
Individuals with sleep disturbances can sometimes have abnormal activity in the medulla.
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What is the primary factor that determines the difference in stress reactivity between the offspring of high LG and low LG mothers?
What is the primary factor that determines the difference in stress reactivity between the offspring of high LG and low LG mothers?
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What is the role of the hippocampus in the regulation of stress hormones?
What is the role of the hippocampus in the regulation of stress hormones?
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What is the outcome of cross-fostering studies on rat pups?
What is the outcome of cross-fostering studies on rat pups?
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How do pups who receive extra maternal care respond to stress hormones?
How do pups who receive extra maternal care respond to stress hormones?
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What is the effect of high LG mothers' care on their offspring's behavior?
What is the effect of high LG mothers' care on their offspring's behavior?
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What is the typical response of the body to glucocorticoids?
What is the typical response of the body to glucocorticoids?
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What is the main function of the hypothalamus in response to emotional messages?
What is the main function of the hypothalamus in response to emotional messages?
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Which brain structure is involved in regulating basic survival functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration?
Which brain structure is involved in regulating basic survival functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration?
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What is the primary function of the pons in the brain?
What is the primary function of the pons in the brain?
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What is the term for the system of nerve pathways that connects the limbic structures to the cerebral cortex?
What is the term for the system of nerve pathways that connects the limbic structures to the cerebral cortex?
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What is the role of the amygdala in the processing of emotional messages?
What is the role of the amygdala in the processing of emotional messages?
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What is the consequence of damage to the medulla area of the brain?
What is the consequence of damage to the medulla area of the brain?
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What is the term for the brain areas that are highly interconnected by neural circuitry?
What is the term for the brain areas that are highly interconnected by neural circuitry?
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What is the function of the limbic system in terms of social and emotional functioning?
What is the function of the limbic system in terms of social and emotional functioning?
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What is the effect of demethylation of regulatory DNA in the hippocampus of rat pups?
What is the effect of demethylation of regulatory DNA in the hippocampus of rat pups?
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What is the outcome of high LG maternal behavior on the hippocampus of rat pups?
What is the outcome of high LG maternal behavior on the hippocampus of rat pups?
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What is the difference between the offspring of high LG and low LG mothers in terms of stress reactivity?
What is the difference between the offspring of high LG and low LG mothers in terms of stress reactivity?
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What is the typical response of the body to glucocorticoids?
What is the typical response of the body to glucocorticoids?
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What is the role of maternal behavior in the development of the hippocampus?
What is the role of maternal behavior in the development of the hippocampus?
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What is the result of cross-fostering studies on rat pups?
What is the result of cross-fostering studies on rat pups?
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The hippocampus is the part of the brain that directly releases stress hormones in response to emotional messages.
The hippocampus is the part of the brain that directly releases stress hormones in response to emotional messages.
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Rat pups reared by high LG foster mothers showed increased reactivity to stress compared to rat pups reared by low LG foster mothers.
Rat pups reared by high LG foster mothers showed increased reactivity to stress compared to rat pups reared by low LG foster mothers.
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The cross-fostering studies demonstrated that genetic factors, not maternal care, influence low stress reactivity in rat pups.
The cross-fostering studies demonstrated that genetic factors, not maternal care, influence low stress reactivity in rat pups.
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The body's typical response to glucocorticoids is to further increase the production of stress hormones.
The body's typical response to glucocorticoids is to further increase the production of stress hormones.
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The offspring of high LG mothers and low LG mothers do not show any differences in terms of stress reactivity.
The offspring of high LG mothers and low LG mothers do not show any differences in terms of stress reactivity.
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Maternal care has no effect on the development of the hippocampus in rat pups.
Maternal care has no effect on the development of the hippocampus in rat pups.
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High LG maternal behavior in rats leads to an increase in stress hormone receptors in the hippocampus.
High LG maternal behavior in rats leads to an increase in stress hormone receptors in the hippocampus.
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Rat pups that experience high LG maternal behavior respond to stress hormones in the same way as other rats.
Rat pups that experience high LG maternal behavior respond to stress hormones in the same way as other rats.
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Cross-fostering studies show that the genes passed on by the mothers influence low stress reactivity.
Cross-fostering studies show that the genes passed on by the mothers influence low stress reactivity.
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Epigenetic changes caused by maternal behavior are reversed after the first week of life.
Epigenetic changes caused by maternal behavior are reversed after the first week of life.
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Identical twins always have identical phenotypes due to their identical genotype.
Identical twins always have identical phenotypes due to their identical genotype.
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Mellow female rats are more likely to be neglectful mothers to their pups.
Mellow female rats are more likely to be neglectful mothers to their pups.
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The hypothalamus directly translates emotional messages into a command to release stress hormones.
The hypothalamus directly translates emotional messages into a command to release stress hormones.
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The limbic system is only connected to the hypothalamus.
The limbic system is only connected to the hypothalamus.
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The medulla contains nuclei that control emotional functioning.
The medulla contains nuclei that control emotional functioning.
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Damage to the medulla area of the brain is always non-fatal.
Damage to the medulla area of the brain is always non-fatal.
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The limbic system is also known as the rational brain.
The limbic system is also known as the rational brain.
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The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system.
The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system.
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The amygdala rapidly assesses emotional messages slowly.
The amygdala rapidly assesses emotional messages slowly.
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The pons is involved in the regulation of emotional responses.
The pons is involved in the regulation of emotional responses.
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Study Notes
Nutrition and Brain Development
- Improving nutrition in New York City schools led to increased average achievement test scores, with the greatest improvements seen in children who were previously performing poorly.
- Children who experience poor prenatal and postnatal nutrition may not achieve their full potential in terms of behavioral functioning.
- However, the impact of early diet can be altered by the presence or absence of other risk and protective factors.
- For example, children who experience poor nutrition due to extreme poverty or war are less likely to have cognitive impairments if their parents are well-educated.
- Reducing one risk factor, such as malnutrition, can have a positive impact on development and reduce the effects of other negative influences.
The Developing Brain
- Prenatal and early postnatal brain development is critical, with brain structures and neuron structures and functions forming during this period.
- The brain is a complex system that underlies behavior, and understanding its workings can help professionals understand how their clients think, feel, and learn.
Prenatal Nutrition and Brain Development
- Prenatal nutrition can have a lasting impact on brain development and functioning.
- Severe protein and calorie shortages during pregnancy can lead to kwashiorkor in children, characterized by stunted growth, a protruding belly, and extreme apathy.
- Even less severe nutritional deficits can have an impact on children's cognitive functioning.
- A study in New York City schools found that removing food additives and high-sugar foods from school meals led to improved cognitive functioning in children.
Epigenetic Changes and Brain Development
- Prenatal exposure to famine can lead to epigenetic changes at the cellular level, resulting in long-term consequences for brain development and functioning.
- Examples of these consequences include higher rates of obesity, increased risk of schizophrenia and mood disorders, and more high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes by age 50.
- A study of babies born to mothers who experienced famine during pregnancy found that they were more likely to experience these negative outcomes.
Maternal Care and Hippocampus Development
- Variations in mothers' care during the first postnatal week alter the development of a rat pup's hippocampus, which plays a central role in reactions to stress.
- Offspring of "high LG" mothers grow up to be more mellow, less reactive to stressful events, than offspring of "low LG" mothers.
- Cross-fostering studies show that mothers' care, not genetics, makes the difference in stress reactivity.
Epigenesis and Brain Development
- A mother rat's external stimulation of her pup causes changes in the regulatory DNA of the pup's hippocampus, leading to demethylation and increased sensitivity to stress hormones.
- This results in a permanent change in the pup's brain and behavioral response to stress after the first week of life.
- This change is heritable, as mellow female rats (who experienced extra mothering as pups) grow up to be mothers who give their pups extra grooming and licking, making their pups also mellow.
Brain Structure and Function
- The hippocampus initiates the recovery from stress arousal by rapidly reducing the production of stress hormones.
- The hypothalamus functions as an intermediary, translating emotional messages from the cortex and amygdala into a command to the endocrine system to release stress hormones.
- The limbic system, including the hippocampus, amygdala, septum, and cingulate cortex, supports social and emotional functioning and works with the frontal lobes of the cortex to help us think and reason.
- The hindbrain structures of medulla, pons, cerebellum, and reticular formation regulate autonomic functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, which are outside conscious control.
Maternal Care and Hippocampus Development
- Variations in mothers' care during the first postnatal week alter the development of a rat pup's hippocampus, which plays a central role in reactions to stress.
- Offspring of "high LG" mothers grow up to be more mellow, less reactive to stressful events, than offspring of "low LG" mothers.
- Cross-fostering studies show that mothers' care, not genetics, makes the difference in stress reactivity.
Epigenesis and Brain Development
- A mother rat's external stimulation of her pup causes changes in the regulatory DNA of the pup's hippocampus, leading to demethylation and increased sensitivity to stress hormones.
- This results in a permanent change in the pup's brain and behavioral response to stress after the first week of life.
- This change is heritable, as mellow female rats (who experienced extra mothering as pups) grow up to be mothers who give their pups extra grooming and licking, making their pups also mellow.
Brain Structure and Function
- The hippocampus initiates the recovery from stress arousal by rapidly reducing the production of stress hormones.
- The hypothalamus functions as an intermediary, translating emotional messages from the cortex and amygdala into a command to the endocrine system to release stress hormones.
- The limbic system, including the hippocampus, amygdala, septum, and cingulate cortex, supports social and emotional functioning and works with the frontal lobes of the cortex to help us think and reason.
- The hindbrain structures of medulla, pons, cerebellum, and reticular formation regulate autonomic functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, which are outside conscious control.
Maternal Care and Hippocampus Development
- Variations in mothers' care during the first postnatal week alter the development of a rat pup's hippocampus, which plays a central role in reactions to stress.
- Offspring of "high LG" mothers grow up to be more mellow, less reactive to stressful events, than offspring of "low LG" mothers.
- Cross-fostering studies show that mothers' care, not genetics, makes the difference in stress reactivity.
Epigenesis and Brain Development
- A mother rat's external stimulation of her pup causes changes in the regulatory DNA of the pup's hippocampus, leading to demethylation and increased sensitivity to stress hormones.
- This results in a permanent change in the pup's brain and behavioral response to stress after the first week of life.
- This change is heritable, as mellow female rats (who experienced extra mothering as pups) grow up to be mothers who give their pups extra grooming and licking, making their pups also mellow.
Brain Structure and Function
- The hippocampus initiates the recovery from stress arousal by rapidly reducing the production of stress hormones.
- The hypothalamus functions as an intermediary, translating emotional messages from the cortex and amygdala into a command to the endocrine system to release stress hormones.
- The limbic system, including the hippocampus, amygdala, septum, and cingulate cortex, supports social and emotional functioning and works with the frontal lobes of the cortex to help us think and reason.
- The hindbrain structures of medulla, pons, cerebellum, and reticular formation regulate autonomic functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, which are outside conscious control.
Maternal Care and Hippocampus Development
- Variations in mothers' care during the first postnatal week alter the development of a rat pup's hippocampus, which plays a central role in reactions to stress.
- Offspring of "high LG" mothers grow up to be more mellow, less reactive to stressful events, than offspring of "low LG" mothers.
- Cross-fostering studies show that mothers' care, not genetics, makes the difference in stress reactivity.
Epigenesis and Brain Development
- A mother rat's external stimulation of her pup causes changes in the regulatory DNA of the pup's hippocampus, leading to demethylation and increased sensitivity to stress hormones.
- This results in a permanent change in the pup's brain and behavioral response to stress after the first week of life.
- This change is heritable, as mellow female rats (who experienced extra mothering as pups) grow up to be mothers who give their pups extra grooming and licking, making their pups also mellow.
Brain Structure and Function
- The hippocampus initiates the recovery from stress arousal by rapidly reducing the production of stress hormones.
- The hypothalamus functions as an intermediary, translating emotional messages from the cortex and amygdala into a command to the endocrine system to release stress hormones.
- The limbic system, including the hippocampus, amygdala, septum, and cingulate cortex, supports social and emotional functioning and works with the frontal lobes of the cortex to help us think and reason.
- The hindbrain structures of medulla, pons, cerebellum, and reticular formation regulate autonomic functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, which are outside conscious control.
Maternal Care and Hippocampus Development
- Variations in mothers' care during the first postnatal week alter the development of a rat pup's hippocampus, which plays a central role in reactions to stress.
- Offspring of "high LG" mothers grow up to be more mellow, less reactive to stressful events, than offspring of "low LG" mothers.
- Cross-fostering studies show that mothers' care, not genetics, makes the difference in stress reactivity.
Epigenesis and Brain Development
- A mother rat's external stimulation of her pup causes changes in the regulatory DNA of the pup's hippocampus, leading to demethylation and increased sensitivity to stress hormones.
- This results in a permanent change in the pup's brain and behavioral response to stress after the first week of life.
- This change is heritable, as mellow female rats (who experienced extra mothering as pups) grow up to be mothers who give their pups extra grooming and licking, making their pups also mellow.
Brain Structure and Function
- The hippocampus initiates the recovery from stress arousal by rapidly reducing the production of stress hormones.
- The hypothalamus functions as an intermediary, translating emotional messages from the cortex and amygdala into a command to the endocrine system to release stress hormones.
- The limbic system, including the hippocampus, amygdala, septum, and cingulate cortex, supports social and emotional functioning and works with the frontal lobes of the cortex to help us think and reason.
- The hindbrain structures of medulla, pons, cerebellum, and reticular formation regulate autonomic functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, which are outside conscious control.
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This quiz explores the effects of prenatal and postnatal nutrition on child development, including its impact on academic achievement and behavioral functioning.