CHAPTER 10.5: Motor and Brain Development

Question 1

what are reflexes

Answer 1

involuntary muscle reactions in response to stimuli

Question 2

what do reflexes allow babies

Answer 2

basic set of responses for interacting with caregivers

Question 3

describe the rooting reflex

Answer 3

when caressing corners of a babies mouth, it will turn to the side being caressed and start suckling, helping the infant feed immediately after birth

Question 4

describe the moro reflex

Answer 4

the startle reflex. when infants lose support of their head, they start reaching out, like they are trying to grab their mom for support.

Question 5

describe the grasping reflex

Answer 5

when stimulating a childs palm, they grab onto it

Question 6

some reflexes facilitate development for controlled motor skills, such as :

Answer 6

the stepping reflex.

happens when putting a childs sole straight onto ground, straightening its leg, promoting the muscles needed for walking.

Question 7

around when do childrens tend to start taking their first steps?

Answer 7

1

Question 8

can cultural differences influence when children meet their milestones?

Answer 8

yes!

Question 9

what occurs to the brain after birth via the process of learning?

Answer 9

cortex thickening through myelination

Question 10

in what order do the areas of the cortex start to thicken?

Answer 10

1. sensory
2. motor
3. perceptual
4. higher order

Question 11

myelination of the cortex increases ____

Answer 11

conduction velocity

Question 12

what is synaptogenesis?

Answer 12

formation of new synaptic connections via forming of new dendrites

Question 13

what is synaptic pruning?

Answer 13

loss of weak connections through competitive elimination, increasing neural efficiency