Chapter 2 - Prenatal Development

Question 1

1. Formation of Neural Tube

Answer 1

• 18-24 days after conception
• flat neural plate -> tube
• location matters
• failure to properly close can cause birth defects

Question 2

2. Neurogenesis

Answer 2

• Neurons form in one region of neural tube
• 10-28 weeks after conception
• typically no new neurons after birth

Question 3

Migration

Answer 3

• neurons move to permanent locations by 7 months in the brain through glial cells
• bad migration = neural disorders

Question 4

Differentiation and mylenation

Answer 4

• neurons become larger and produce dendrites, longer axons, and specialization
• synaptogeneis begins (synapse form)

Myleln
- fatty sheath to protect axon
- speeds conduction
- reduces leakage of electrical signals
- early in infancy -> early adulthood

Question 5

5. Cell and synaptic pruning

Answer 5

• removal of neurons and synapses that are not used
• increased efficiency in remaining neural activity
• “use it or lose it”

Question 6

Prenatal hearing

Answer 6

• 16 weeks of gestation, fetus perceives sounds outside womb through fluid-filled ears
• encourage bilingualism - sounds shape the brain development and will predispose children to learn those languages
• reading = no evidence
• music - rhythm and pitch changes
• deaf parents - no deficit with hearing children .. prenatal experience not necessary
• Dr Seus study - children controlled sucking to dr seus from mom’s voice

Question 7

Prenatal taste

Answer 7

• carrot juice study - carrot group, water group
• exposed to carrot juice (6 months later) - fewer negative expresions when eating it with cereal
• facial expressions - eating kale bad, eating carrot smile (in womb)