PSY 308 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Neurogenesis, Basal Ganglia, Neural Plate

• School: University of Oregon
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 308
• Professor: Dare Baldwin

Document Summary

Critical periods: time frames in which certain kinds of experiences are essential for normal development. The body tends to develop vital systems earlier than those that are less important. Every complex organism begins life as a single fertilized egg and develops into a creature with anatomical structures and behaviors. We are born with the skills we need immediately in life. Inputs: consist of an organism"s genes, its environment, and the resulting patterns of gene-environment interactions. Constraints: consist of the need for viability throughout development, need for specialized cells to serve particular function and need for certain sequential processes to occur at the right times. Environmental niches: local environments for which a creature is born and have evolved special adaptations for. Different species" genetic codes are modified through natural selection, resulting in organisms adapted to their niche. Genes: inherited instructions for producing proteins that make up cells or for regulating whether other genes will be turned on or off.