Brain development

What is a blastocyst?

  • A developing embryo

What is the rhombencephalon?

  • The pons, cerebellum and medulla

What is the myelencephalon?

  • The medulla

What does the endoderm layer become?

  • The digestive tracts

Which layer generates our reproductive organs?

  • The mesoderm

What forms into our brain and spinal cord?

  • The ectoderm forming the neural tube

At what point does cell(s) become a blastocyst?

  • At 32+ cells

What is the name for the cells which go on to become an embryo?

  • Inner cell mass

What is the cause of anencephaly?

  • Failure to close the upper neural tube

What is a neuroblast?

  • A cell which can become any cell within the nervous system

How do neurons migrate?

  • Via radial glia

What is a growth cone?

  • Allows axon growth

What is the chemoaffinity hypothesis?

  • Chemical marks on axons match their target

Match the germ layers with the organs developing from them

  1. Ectoderm- Eyes

  2. Mesoderm- Blood cells

  3. Endoderm- Lungs

Order the following concepts in their chronological order during development

  1. Blastocyst

  2. Gastrula

  3. Neural Plate

  4. Neural Tube

  5. Primary Vesicles

  6. Cranial Nerves

In Foetal Alcohol Syndrome grey matter in frontal cortices is replaced by white matter during adolescence.

True or False

Which of the following is true for Autism Spectrum Condition?

  • Increased local integration

  • Increased brain volume

  • Less social orientating

Children with Autism Spectrum Condition might display superior perceptual skills, because of 

  • Increased local integration

ADHD may be characterised by a delay in cortical maturation especially in frontal cortices. This may be caused by dopamine dysregulation during brain development.