BRAIN GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

BRAIN ANATOMY AND DEVELOPMENT

*Motor neurons transmit signals from the CNS to muscles and glands, enabling them to carry out specific actions. They are responsible for controlling voluntary and involuntary movements and for regulating glandular functions. *Interneurons (Association Neurons): Interneurons are located entirely within the CNS and serve as connectors or relays between sensory and motor neurons. They process and integrate incoming sensory information and contribute to decision-making and reflex responses. *Pyramidal Neurons: Pyramidal neurons are primarily found in the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for higher cognitive functions.

Synaptic pruning

Synaptic pruning is a crucial process in developing the nervous system, particularly the brain. It involves eliminating or reducing excess synapses, which are the connections between neurons. This process is essential for shaping the brain's neural circuits and optimizing its functioning.

• The specific areas of the brain where synaptic pruning occurs can vary depending on the stage of development and the functions being refined.

The hippocampus is located within the medial temporal lobe of the brain. It plays a fundamental role in various cognitive functions, particularly in the formation and retrieval of memories.Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which is a type of chemical messenger that plays a key role in the communication between neurons (nerve cells) in the brain and other parts of the body. Dopamine is involved in various important functions, including mood regulation, reward processing, movement control, and motivation

• Emotion Regulation: While not its primary function, the hippocampus also interacts with the amygdala and other brain regions to influence emotional responses and help regulate emotions.

Neurons, also known as nerve cells, are the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system. There are several types of neurons, each with its own structure and function. * Sensory Neurons (Afferent Neurons): Sensory neurons are responsible for transmitting sensory information from sensory organs (such as the skin, eyes, ears, and nose) to the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. * They detect external stimuli, such as touch, temperature, light, sound, and chemical signals, and relay this information to the CNS for processing.

Critical period of learning

Language Acquisition: The critical period for language acquisition is well-documented. Children are most receptive to learning languages during their early years, particularly before the age of 7. After this period, it becomes more challenging to acquire native-like pronunciation and grammar in a new language.Once a critical period passes, it may become more difficult or even impossible to acquire these skills or knowledge to the same degree of proficiency. Brain plasticity or neural plasticity It is the brain's capacity to reorganize its structure, functions, and connections in response to various factors, such as learning, experience, injury, or environmental changes.

Brain development is a complex process that occurs over a lifetime but is most rapid during early development, particularly in the womb and during early childhood. It involves the growth, maturation, and specialization of brain cells (neurons), the formation of neural connections, and the establishment of neural circuits.

• Embryonic and fetal development, neuronas multiply rapidly and take shape.
• early childhood: significant number of neurons.
• Pruning and Specialization, the brain eliminates unnesassary of underused.

• Adolescence undergoes and maturation during prefrontal cortex,
• adulthood brain continues throughout .
• Aging: some natural declined in congnitive function.