Nervous System Development

These flashcards cover key vocabulary regarding the stages of nervous system development, their definitions, and important concepts in developmental biology.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two daughter cells, each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.

Migration

The movement of neurons from their place of origin to their final position in the brain.

Aggregation

The process by which neurons come together and form layers or groups known as nuclei.

Differentiation

The process in which cells develop distinct structures and functions necessary for their roles in the nervous system.

Synaptogenesis

The formation of synapses between neurons, enabling communication in the nervous system.

Neurulation

The embryonic development process that forms the neural tube from the neural plate.

Gastrulation

A pivotal stage in embryonic development where the cells of the embryo rearrange and form three primary germ layers.

Neurotrophic Hypothesis

Theory suggesting that neuron survival is dependent on the access to specific target-derived neurotrophic factors.

Myelination

The formation of a myelin sheath around a nerve to improve the speed of electrical signals.

Dorso-Ventral Orientation

Refers to the directional relationship of the dorsal (back) and ventral (belly) sides of an organism.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two daughter cells, each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.

Migration

The movement of neurons from their place of origin to their final position in the brain.

Aggregation

The process by which neurons come together and form layers or groups known as nuclei.

Differentiation

The process in which cells develop distinct structures and functions necessary for their roles in the nervous system.

Synaptogenesis

The formation of synapses between neurons, enabling communication in the nervous system.

Neurulation

The embryonic development process that forms the neural tube from the neural plate.

Gastrulation

A pivotal stage in embryonic development where the cells of the embryo rearrange and form three primary germ layers.

Neurotrophic Hypothesis

Theory suggesting that neuron survival is dependent on the access to specific target-derived neurotrophic factors.

Myelination

The formation of a myelin sheath around a nerve to improve the speed of electrical signals.

Dorso-Ventral Orientation

Refers to the directional relationship of the dorsal (back) and ventral (belly) sides of an organism.

Cognitive Development

The progression of thinking, problem-solving, and understanding from early childhood to adulthood.

Synaptic Plasticity

The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time, in response to increases or decreases in their activity.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons from neural stem cells, occurring primarily during development.

Apoptosis

A programmed process of cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms as a normal part of growth and development.

Plasticity

The capacity of the nervous system to change and adapt in response to experience and environmental changes.