PSYCH 350 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Neural Development, Neuroglia, Prenatal Development
1 Apr 2016
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Structures of the brain: neurons: the brain has about 100 billion neurons. Axon: fiber that sends electrical signals away: synapses junctions between axons and dendrites where communication takes place by means of electrical-chemical signals. Glial cells (ancient greek for glue: perform a variety of support functions. From myelin sheath around certain axons (coats them) Remove dead neurons: glial cells outnumber neurons. Mainly after birth: myelination: fatty layer (myelin) accumulates around nerve cells. Synaptogenesis: the process by which neurons form synapses with other neurons, resulting in trillions of connections: many more than we need. Synapse pruning (eliminated surplus connections: occurs at diff times in diff areas, not fully completed until adolescence, at peak, 100,000 synapses per second are lost, for physical development: apoptosis. The brain and experience: plasticity: the capacity of the brain to be affected by experience. Experience expectant (experiences that your brain is expecting to have)
