early brain development

• what is early brain development


  how the brain develops in the womb and matures
• what are the 4 main parts of the brain


  brain stem, cerebellum, thalamus, cortex
• brain stem


  highly developed at birth.

  connects brain to spinal cord.

  autonomic functions.
• cerebellum


  matures late.

  near top of spinal cord.

  co-ordinates sensory and motor.
• thalamus


  deep inside the brain in each hemisphere.

  information hub, recieves and sends signals around the brain.
• cortex


  very thin and folded cover.

  thinking and processing.

  frontal, visual, auditory, motor areas in each hemisphere.
• what are the roles of nature and nurture


  nature is inherited and nurture is environmental influences on development.
• whats the effect of smoking


  smoking during pregnancy leads to a smaller brain
• whats the effect of infection


  in the womb, german measles can lead to hearing loss
• whats the effect of voices


  babies learn to recognise mother's voice
• whats the interaction between nature and nurture


  the brain forms due to nature but the environment (nurture) has a major influence, even in the womb