Neuro flashcards chapter 3 and 4

Pleiotropy

When one gene influences many different traits, especially when those traits seem unrelated to one another.

Redundancy

When several genes contribute to producing a single trait.

Neurogenesis

The process of non-neuronal cells in a germinal zone dividing to produce daughter cells that differentiate into neurons.

Gliogenesis

The production of new glia.

Cell Birthdate

The point in development when a cell stopped dividing and began differentiating into a particular fate.

Olfactory Neuroepithelium

A germinal zone that provides new olfactory sensory neurons.

Subventricular Zone

A zone above the ventricular zone where cells migrate rostrally to replace interneurons.

Neural Stem Cell

A self-renewing multipotent cell that gives rise to neurons and glia.

Progenitor Cell

A precursor cell derived from a stem cell that migrates and produces either a neuron or glial cell.

Neuroblast

An immature neuron that has not yet made connections.

Glioblast

An immature glial cell that has not yet differentiated.

Transcription Factors

Chemical signals that turn genes on and relate to cell differentiation.

Cell Migration

The movement of cells to their appropriate locations in the developing brain.

Radial Migration

The migration of neurons from inside to outside.

Tangential Migration

The migration of neurons around the developing brain.

Microglia

Immune cells in the brain that originate from the yolk sac and create tunnels for cell migration.

Bergmann Glia

A type of glial cell located in the cerebellum that helps guide migrating neurons.

Reelin

A protein involved in neuronal positioning, mutations can lead to misalignments in neuron layers.

Neoteny

The slowing or delay in the maturation rate of an organism, allowing for more brain cell production.

Conditional Knockout Model

A genetic model where a gene is expressed or repressed specifically in certain cell types.

Drosophila

A genus of small flies, commonly used as a model organism in genetics and development studies.

Delta-Notch Signaling

A communication mechanism between cells that influences cell fate decisions.

Neural Induction

The process during embryonic development that directs stem cells to become neural stem cells.