Neurodevelopment and Prenatal Brain Development Assignment Sample

Introduction To Biological And Cognitive Psychology

Part 1: Essay on Biological Psychology

This paper is focused on the nature of neurodevelopment and factors that may influence brain development before birth. This paper explains the neurodevelopmental concept. This report discusses the role of stem cells, gray and white matter in neurodevelopment. Arborization and dendrites in neuron development help to understand this. Neurodevelopment in prenatal brain development and their role in a person's body are highlighted in this study. The paper identifies several factors that can influence brain development before birth.

Concept of neurodevelopment

Neurodevelopment is a dynamic biological process which involves the differentiation, growth, and maturation of the nervous system like the spinal cord and brain. As per the view of Xi & Wu (2021), this encompasses a sequence of events which start during the development of embryonic throughout their lifespan. The concept of neurodevelopment is essential to understanding the way the forms of the nervous system change and function over time. This process engages the differentiation, migration, and proliferation of “neural progenitor cells” to shape the types of neurons and glial cells in the nervous system. Neurons transfer to their purpose. They start to separate into particular types of cells with functions. Neurons develop axons for dendrites and signals of transmitting for receiving signals. They form synapses to attach with other neurons.

Figure 1: Neurodevelopment

(Source: Tartaglia, 2021)

The neural tubes experience the process of division of cells in the production of an amount of neural cells. This proliferation stage is tracked by migration of cells. Neurons shift to their appropriate position in the developing nervous system. Synapses are forming, intensification, and pruning. This plasticity of synaptic is vital for learning, memory and gaining new experiences. Myelination is the procedure by which axons are covered with a defensive “myelin sheath” that enhances the efficiency of transmission of electrical signals. Myelination is occurring in early adulthood and adolescence. Most development of neural development happens during early stages of postnatal and prenatal. Neurogenesis is in brain regions throughout life, especially in the olfactory bulb and hippocampus. There are some concepts of neurodevelopment that are responsive to impacts of environmental. The nervous system is responsive to experiences of sensory and stimuli of the environment which form their function and structure during these times. As per the opinion of Tartaglia et al. (2021), the nervous system is established and their structure and role become developed. On the other hand, this maintains a rate of plasticity and allows reorganizing and adapting in response to experience, injury, and learning. Neurodevelopment is not restricted to adolescence and childhood throughout life. Aging of a person is associated with modification in the nervous system such as a decline in functions of cognitive and an improved risk of diseases of neurodegenerative.

Stem cells, grey and white matter in neurodevelopment

Stem cells matter in neurodevelopment

Neural stem cells are the type of cell of stem find in the improving CNS. They have the innovative ability to differentiate into different neural cells types such as neurons and glial cells. NSCs are generating the types of diverse cell needed for development of brain and spinal cord. Neural stem cells give enhancement to the tube of neural that forms the basis for the CNS during early embryonic development. As per the insights of Kwon et al. (2022), the differentiation and proliferation of NSCs are dependable to generate the amount of neurons and glial cells needed for a functional nervous system. The processes of neurodevelopment happen during embryonic and early postnatal stages. NSCs are exists in regions of the adult brain including the dentate gyrus and subventricular zone of the hippocampus. These adult NSCs contribute neurogenesis and repair tissue in response to disease.

Figure 2: Stem cells matter in neurodevelopment

(Source: Kwon, 2022)

Grey matter in neurodevelopment

Gray matter consists of cell bodies of capillaries, neurons, and glial cells in the brain. This is the CNS where processing of data. The gray matter is in charge of different functions of cognition such as perception of sensory, control motor and memory. The gray matter experiences differentiation and growth as stem cells of neural give enhance glial cells and neurons during neurodevelopment. As per the thoughts of Corsi et al. (2020), these neurons form the networks in neurons dependable for transmitting and processing data in the brain. The outer layer of the brain is the cerebral cortex where gray matter is important. The cortex is complicated and consists of different layers. Every layer contains various types of neurons. The development of these layers is vital for function of cognitive.

White matter in Neurodevelopment

White matter in the CNS consists of axons and neurons. These axons are enclosed by myelin produced by oligodendrocytes. Myelin acts in insulating sheath which facilitates the transmission of signals of electrical like axons. White matters expand with gray matter during neurodevelopment. Oligodendrocytes are created from stem cells in neurons which play an important role in the production and maintenance of myelin. As per the words of Codagnoneet al. (2019), axons connect various sections of the brain, oligodendrocytes increasingly ensheath them with myelin which is known as myelination. White matter formed by a package of myelinated axons helps the efficient and signals transmission in the brain. Progresses of myelination and reliability of increased transmission of signals are contributing to the maturation of neural and development of cognitive.

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Urbanisation and dendrites in neurodevelopment

Arborization refers to the growth and branching of these processes, especially dendrites in neurodevelopment. Arborization is a vital feature of development of neural and plays an important role to build functional network of neural. Arborization is the steps that extend, and form the structure of dendrites. As per the words by Coste et al. (2020), neurons have simple, unbranched dendrites during early neurodevelopment. As neurons grow the dendritic arborization happens and leads to the growth of various branches with sets of dendritic. This process allows neurons to receive efforts from different established and sourced relations with other neurons. Arborization involves the branching and growth of processes of dendritic. This leads to the formation of dendritic. Dendritic spines serve as points to synaptic connections with axons from other neurons. The branching of dendrites secures neurons to build the range of connections of synaptic and create neural networks which motivate processing and transmission of data.

Dendrites are a set of neurons which receive signals from other neurons and transmit these signals to the cell body of the neuron. Dendrites are structures which expand from the cell body of a neuron. They are enclosed in protrusion which are known as dendritic spines that are the synaptic connections with other neurons. Dendrites are prepared with channels and receptors which allow them to process and receive inputs of synaptic. Dendrites are receiving inputs of synaptic from other neurons. The branches of dendrites form different dendritic spines. As per the discussion by Bangma et al. (2021), they enhance their capacity to get signals from different sources. This process allows neurons to mix data from different neurons and inputs of sensory that is important for processing data in the brain. Dendritic spines are dynamic structures which change in shape and size. This plasticity of synaptic is important for processes of memory and gaining experiences. Dendritic arborization is provided to the dendritic spines and allows for a potential for plasticity of synaptic such as the strengthening, and formation of connections of synaptic.

Neurodevelopment in brain development before birth

Neurodevelopment is a process which happens before birth and is significant for the formation of the “central nervous system” (CNS) such as the spinal cord and brain. As per the ideology by Ogata et al. (2023), this time of neurodevelopment starts early in embryogenesis throughout gestation. The foundation of neurodevelopment is formations of the tube of neural that happen during the formation of embryogenesis. The neural tube is a structure which differentiates into the spinal cord and brain. The process of formation of neural tubes is regulated and involves a series of complicated steps. The neural tube is recognized and neural progenitor cells situated in it. These cells provide an increase to the different types of neural cells such as neurons and glial cells that are the building of the CNS. Neurogenesis refers to the making of neurons from neural progenitor cells. Neurons are born at particular locations in the neural tube during early neurodevelopment. This process engages the differentiation of progenitors of neural neurons into neurons with particular individuality including neurotransmitter characteristics and patterns of connectivity.

Neurons reach their purpose and expand axons and dendrites to build connections with other neurons. Axons transmit signals from the cell body to the dendrites receive signals. This process engages with the method to secure appropriate connectivity. Synaptogenesis is the formation of synapses that are connected. Neurons communicate with other neurons. Neurons build connections with others. They form synapses which allow the transmission and signals of electricity. The growth of dendritic spines is a difficult part of synaptogenesis. Myelination is the procedure in which axons are covered with myelin and act as an insulating sheath. Myelination increases the efficiency of transmission of electrical signals with axons. As per the remarks of Schepanskiet al. (2022), there is some myelination that happens before birth, these processes carry on throughout adolescence and childhood. Neurodevelopment leads to the formation of structures of the brain. Neurons transfer to their proper positions in the developing brain. This transformation leads by molecules and is important for forming the neural networks and structures of the brain.

Factors that can affect brain development before birth

• Genetics: The brain development of a child is determined by factors of genetics. Genetic mutations impact the functioning and formation of structures of neural which leading to disorders of neurodevelopment.
• Nutrition: Appropriate nutrition is important for the development of a healthy brain. As per the opinion by Longo et al. (2021), the diet plan of a mother during pregnancy is the intake of necessary nutrients such as iron, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid and other minerals and vitamins that impact the growth of the fetal brain.
• Maternal Health: The health of a pregnant mother is important. As per the thinking of Johnson et al. (2021), the conditions including hypertension, infections, or gestational diabetes have an effect on development of the fetal brain. Prenatal care and maternal health conditions management are important.
• Mental Health and Stress: The mental health diseases like anxiety, depression and chronic stress during pregnancy impact development of the fetal brain. The high rate of maternal stress hormones impacts the function and structure of the fetal brain.
• Alcohol Consumption: Consumption of Alcohol during pregnancy leads to disorders of fetal alcohol range which cause impairments of cognitive and behavioral. According to the view of Notaraset al. (2022), the developing brain is mainly susceptible to toxic effects of alcohol.
• Smoking: Smoking during pregnancy can enhance risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. Both of them have effects on the developing brain. Nicotine and other toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke can negatively affect the development of the fetal brain.
• Prenatal Care: Prenatal care such as ultrasounds, proper medical guidance and regular check-ups are necessary to observe the health of the pregnant mother and the development of the fetus. The detection and management of issues prevent their effect on development of the brain.

Conclusion

This paper has been focused on the nature of neurodevelopment and factors that can affect brain development before birth. The concept of neurodevelopment has been explained in this paper. The role of stem cells, gray and white matter in neurodevelopment is discussed in this report. The arborisation and dendrites in neuron development helps to understand the topic. Neurodevelopment in brain development before birth and their role in a person's body have been highlighted in this study. The different factors which can affect brain development before birth have been identified in this paper. A mother's diet plan during pregnancy includes essential nutrients such as iron, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid and other minerals and vitamins that affect fetal brain growth.

References

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