PSYCH 2AP3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Classical Conditioning, Birth Weight, Parenting
8 Dec 2015
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Topic 3 biological and environmental contexts of psychopathology. The nervous system begins to develop shortly after conception when a group of cells called the neural plate thickens, folds inward, and forms the neural tube. These cells continue to become more interconnected and functional, and nerve fibers become sheathed in myelin, a white substance that increases the efficiency of communication with the brain. Both before and after birth, an excess of neurons and connections are produced, setting up the brain to ensure flexibility. The development of the brain results from both intrinsic biological programming and experience, that is, activity-dependent processes. Both before and after birth the shaping of the brain involves the mechanisms of pruning, whereby unneeded cells and connections are eliminated. The brain has three major interconnected divisions: the hindbrain includes the pons, medulla, and cerebellum. Pons relay information and the medulla helps regulate heart function and breathing. Three major parts: multifunctional cell body, dendrites, and an axon.
