What is thought to influence the overproduction and pruning of synapses in the brain quizlet?

What is thought to influence the overproduction and pruning of synapses in the brain quizlet?

Both heredity and environment are thought to influence synaptic overproduction and subsequent pruning.

What is the overproduction of synapses in the brain?

By definition, an overproduction occurs when a neuron gains more synapses than are present at stabilization; clearly at some point during development, there must be more shedding than synaptogenesis. Starting with one connection, this neuron eventually stabilizes at 14 synapses.

What event in the development of the brain leads to synaptic pruning?

What event in the development of the brain leads to the need for synaptic pruning? During the fetal period and extending into early childhood, neural networks grow at a rapid rate; in particular, the extensions of neurons and the gaps between neurons (synapses).

What does it mean when brain synapses are pruned?

Synaptic pruning
Synaptic pruning refers to the process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated in order to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.

Why does pruning occur?

Synaptic pruning is a natural process that occurs in the brain between early childhood and adulthood. During synaptic pruning, the brain eliminates extra synapses. Synaptic pruning is our body’s way of maintaining more efficient brain function as we get older and learn new complex information. …

Are responsible for myelination quizlet?

Which of the following cell types in the central nervous system are responsible for myelination? Schwann cells are the myelination cells of the peripheral nervous system, and thus (d) is the correct answer.

What causes synaptic pruning?

The process of removing the irrelevant synapses during this time is referred to as synaptic pruning. Early synaptic pruning is mostly influenced by our genes. Constant stimulation causes synapses to grow and become permanent. But if a child receives little stimulation the brain will keep fewer of those connections.

What is adolescence pruning?

“Over adolescence there is a pruning back of these connections. The brain decides which connections are important to keep, and which can be let go.” Scientists call this process synaptic pruning, and speculate that the brain decides which neural links to keep based on how frequently they are used.

Which is the most influential factor in synaptic pruning?

Early synaptic pruning is mostly influenced by our genes. Later on, it’s based on our experiences. In other words, whether or not a synapse is pruned is influenced by the experiences a developing child has with the world around them.

Why is pruning an essential part of brain development?

Why is pruning an essential part of brain development? Pruning is the process by which unused connections in the brain atrophy and die. This allows the brain to develop in accord with the sociocultural context. Too much pruning results in the reduction of brain activity.

What affects synaptic pruning?

Early synaptic pruning is mostly influenced by our genes. Later on, it’s based on our experiences. In other words, whether or not a synapse is pruned is influenced by the experiences a developing child has with the world around them. Constant stimulation causes synapses to grow and become permanent.

How does synaptic pruning affect the adolescent brain?

Brain pruning Synaptic pruning is thought to help the brain transition from childhood, when it is able to learn and make new connections easily, to adulthood, when it is a bit more settled in its structure, but can focus on a single problem for longer and carry out more complex thought processes.

What happens to synapses during synaptic pruning?

During synaptic pruning, the brain eliminates extra synapses. Synapses are brain structures that allows the neurons to transmit an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. Synaptic pruning is thought to be the brain’s way of removing connections in the brain that are no longer needed.

What is the process of removing irrelevant synapses called?

The process of removing the irrelevant synapses during this time is referred to as synaptic pruning. Early synaptic pruning is mostly influenced by our genes. Later on, it’s based on our experiences.

What happens to the synapses during brain development?

The overproduction of synapses is followed by a pruning back of the unused and overabundance of synapses. Until the stage of synaptogenesis, the stages of brain development are largely gene driven. However, once the brain reaches the point where synapses are eliminated, the balance shifts; the process of pruning is largely experience driven.

How does overactive mTOR affect the production of synapses?

Large amounts of overactive mTOR have been found in the brains of autism patients. Over-activity in the mTOR pathway has also been shown to be associated with an excess production of synapses. One study found that mice with overactive mTOR had defects in their synaptic pruning and exhibited ASD-like social behaviors.