5.9: Multiple Choice

5.1 Gastrulation and Formation of the Neural Tube (Neurulation)

1.

What is the primary goal of gastrulation in embryonic development?

1. Formation of the neural tube
2. Formation of the three germ layers
3. Differentiation of neurons
4. Formation of the limbs

2 .

Which germ layer gives rise to the neural plate, initiating the process of neurulation?

1. Endoderm
2. Ectoderm
3. Mesoderm
4. Epidermis

3.

Neurulation is the process responsible for the formation of the:

1. Brain, spinal cord, and neural tube
2. Muscles and bones
3. Circulatory system
4. Respiratory system

4 .

During neural development, what is the role of neural ectoderm?

1. Forming muscles and bones
2. Initiating gastrulation
3. Providing oxygen to developing tissues
4. Differentiating into neurons and glial cells

5.

Neural stem cells have the potential to develop into which two primary cell types in the nervous system?

1. Neurons and blood cells
2. Neurons and glial cells
3. Muscle cells and neurons
4. Skin cells and neurons

6 .

What critical event occurs during neurulation?

1. The development of the eyes and ears
2. The formation of the limb buds
3. The closure of the neural tube
4. The development of the cerebral hemispheres

7.

Which of the following is a major structural brain defect characterized by the incomplete closure of the neural tube during embryonic development?

1. Lissencephaly
2. Autism spectrum disorder
3. Spina bifida
4. Fetal alcohol syndrome

8 .

What is the primary cause of anencephaly, a severe structural brain defect where parts of the brain and skull fail to develop?

1. Exposure to excess sunlight during pregnancy
2. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
3. Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy
4. Consumption of caffeine during pregnancy

9.

During neurulation, the neural plate transforms into which structure?

1. The spinal cord
2. The neural crest
3. The neural tube
4. The cerebral cortex

5.2 Growth and Development of the Early Brain

10 .

What is the process of brain segmentation during embryonic development primarily responsible for?

1. Formation of the cerebral cortex
2. Development of the brainstem
3. Division of the brain into distinct regions with specialized functions
4. Formation of cranial nerves

11.

During which process do daughter cells mature into their final functional form as neurons or glial cells?

1. Neurogenesis
2. Mitosis
3. Differentiation
4. Synaptogenesis

5.3 Synapse Formation and Maturation

12 .

Which of the following is NOT a structural component of a growth cone?

1. Actin filaments
2. Microtubules
3. Myelin sheath
4. Filopodia

13.

What is the growth cone primarily responsible for during neurodevelopment?

1. Forming neural synapses
2. Guiding the growing axon to its target
3. Regulating neurotransmitter release
4. Initiating apoptosis in neurons

14 .

What does the term "polyneuronal innervation" refer to in neurodevelopment?

1. The process of axons growing multiple branches
2. The simultaneous innervation of a single target neuron by multiple axons
3. The formation of myelin sheaths around axons
4. The branching of dendrites to receive synaptic inputs

15.

In the context of experience-related innervation modifications, what term describes the process by which synaptic connections are strengthened through repeated stimulation?

1. Synaptic pruning
2. Synaptic inhibition
3. Synaptic plasticity
4. Synaptic transmission

16 .

What is the function of filopodia in a growth cone?

1. Facilitating axon branching
2. Propagating electrical impulses
3. Secreting neurotransmitters
4. Sensing guidance cues in the environment

17.

What is myelin?

1. A type of neurotransmitter in the brain
2. A fatty substance that insulates and surrounds nerve fibers
3. A neuron
4. A part of the brain's gray matter

18.

Which of the following is not an example of sensory enrichment during early development that can promote synaptic connectivity?

1. Exposure to a noisy environment
2. Limited social interactions
3. Playing video games for extended periods
4. Regular exposure to a variety of sensory stimuli, such as different textures, sounds, and smells

5.4 Experience Dependent Plasticity

19.

How can environmental enrichment and learning experiences positively impact neural plasticity?

1. They reduce neural plasticity.
2. They weaken synaptic connections.
3. They only affect structural plasticity.
4. They enhance neural plasticity and promote the formation of new connections.

20 .

Experience-dependent plasticity refers to changes in neural connections that occur as a result of:

1. inherited genetic mutations.
2. random fluctuations in neural activity.
3. specific experiences or learning.
4. age-related neuronal degeneration.

21.

Which of the following is an example of experience-dependent plasticity in the visual system?

1. The process of working out a specific muscle
2. The formation of the blood-brain barrier
3. The refinement of visual acuity in response to visual experiences
4. The regulation of basic reflexes

22 .

Critical periods in development are times when:

1. learning is impossible due to neural limitations.
2. neural plasticity is heightened, making learning and development more susceptible to environmental influences.
3. the brain is fully mature and resistant to environmental influences.
4. genetic factors override environmental factors in development.

23.

Exposure to which environmental toxin during critical periods of brain development can lead to cognitive and behavioral deficits?

1. Vitamin C
2. Lead
3. Calcium
4. Oxygen

24 .

What is retinoic acid?

1. A type of steroid hormone essential for fetal development.
2. A synthetic compound used to treat birth defects.
3. A form of vitamin B.
4. A neurotransmitter that promotes healthy neural development in fetuses.