Psychology 2040A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Neuroglia, Frontal Lobe, Visual Cortex

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2040A/B
• Professor: J.Bruce Morton

Document Summary

Even before birth brain growth is rapid the size of the brain increases from 4 percent of adult weight at 5 months after conception to about 25 percent of its adult weight at birth. By 4 years the size of the brain is about 80% of its adult weight. The brainstem and midbrain are fairly established at birth: basic reflexes, sensory processing, digestion, respiration, elimination. Changes in the cortex take place after birth: sensation, motor responses, thinking, planning, problem solving. In the cortex, regions associated with sensory and motor functions tend to be the earliest to mature. The frontal cortex is usually later to mature it is involved in higher levels of cognition. At the cellular level brain development occurs through changes in neurons. Occurs around the end of the first month of prenatal development, after the neural tube has closed. Much of it is completed around 6 months of prenatal development.