PSYCH 2AP3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Hypothalamus, Corpus Callosum, Autonomic Nervous System
8 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Development begins shortly after conception and involves the interaction of biological programming and experience. Neurons receive chemical message from other neurons via neurotransmitters. Results in electric impulse being sent down axon. Neurotransmitters released at end of axon and taken up by other neuron. From birth to age 2, there is an overabundance of synapses (50% more than adult brain) At 2, the synapses are pruned until age 16, when adult levels are reached. Synaptic pruning occurs at different rates in different regions, with peaks correlating to function of area. Myelin fatty lipid sheath that surrounds the axon which speeds action potential across axon. Most rapid increase in myelination in first 9 months. Maturation continues from proximal to distal pathways and from central loci toward lobar poles, with occipital proceeding frontal lobe. Medulla: controls breathing and heart rate cerebellum: motor timing and some cognition. Inferior and superior colliculi: lower level auditory and visual processing.
