the brain begins as an embryonic structure called the ✔ Ans - neural tube, shortly after conception it is formed in neurulation, all areas of the brain develop from here
the brain is considered mature around what age ✔ Ans - 25, the brain is not mature until our mid-twenties because the prefrontal cortex (which enables executive function abilities) continues to develop until this time
what is the sequence in which we learn our abilities ✔ Ans - sensory, motor, emotional skills, executive function skills (begin in early childhood but their sensitive period of development continues into early adulthood)
what stages of development are the most plastic and the least ✔ Ans - early childhood, late childhood, adolescence, adulthood, the brain becomes progressively less plastic with age
the age at which a human has the most connections between neurons is ✔ Ans - 3, as the brain ages, unused connections are pruned away and active connections are strengthened
how do experiences shape the developing brain ✔ Ans - they influence which neural connections are strengthened or pruned, they help us practice our skills
at what stage of development do negative experiences influence the architecture of the developing brain ✔ Ans - at any stage of development, which neural circuits will be affected depends on when the negative experience occurs
most traits and diseases in humans are derived from ✔ Ans - the interaction between genes and environmental influences
what is an example of an epigenetic effect ✔ Ans - an environmental factor
modifies the area surrounding a gene such that expression decreases