Reflex Behaviors
The Brain and Reflex Behaviors The growth of the brain is a lifelong process fundamental to physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
Building of the brain The functions of the brain and the reflexes derive from the central nervous system. The central nervous system is located in the brain and the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves running through the backbone. The nervous cord in spine then branches out into a peripheral network of nerves extending to every part of the body. The brain then sends nerve signals or commands to specific parts of the body. The brain at birth is only about one-fourth to one third of its eventual adult size. The brain growth occurs in different stimulated moment called brain growth spurts. …show more content…
Neurons are composed of DNA. Most of the neurons in the cortex are in place by 20 weeks of gestation and its structure becomes fairly defined during the next 12 weeks. Once they are in a place neurons sprout dendrites and axons, which are narrow, branching fiber like extensions, axons sand signals to neurons and dendrites receive messages through the synapses (the nervous system’s communication links).A neuron can have from 5,000 to 100,000 synapse connections to and from the body sensory …show more content…
Early reflexes Reflex behaviors are automatic involuntary, innate responses to stimulation. Human infants have an estimated 27 major reflexes, many of which are present at birth or soon after. Examples of types of reflexes are involuntary reflexes, also called reflex behavior which is controlled by the lower brain centers. Other examples are primitive reflexes, postural reflexes, and locomotors reflexes * Primitive reflex: sucking, rooting for the nipple. * Moro reflex: response to being startled * Postural reflex: reaction to changes in position or balance * Locomotor reflex: walking, swimming, do not appear until months after the reflexes have disappeared.
Involuntary reflexes disappear after six to twelve months. Protective reflexes such as blinking, yawning coughing sneezing, shivering and dilation of the pupils in the dark, remain. The unneeded reflexes that disappear have been partially myelinated, shifting to voluntary behavior.
Molding the Brain: The Role of
Building of the brain The functions of the brain and the reflexes derive from the central nervous system. The central nervous system is located in the brain and the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves running through the backbone. The nervous cord in spine then branches out into a peripheral network of nerves extending to every part of the body. The brain then sends nerve signals or commands to specific parts of the body. The brain at birth is only about one-fourth to one third of its eventual adult size. The brain growth occurs in different stimulated moment called brain growth spurts. …show more content…
Neurons are composed of DNA. Most of the neurons in the cortex are in place by 20 weeks of gestation and its structure becomes fairly defined during the next 12 weeks. Once they are in a place neurons sprout dendrites and axons, which are narrow, branching fiber like extensions, axons sand signals to neurons and dendrites receive messages through the synapses (the nervous system’s communication links).A neuron can have from 5,000 to 100,000 synapse connections to and from the body sensory …show more content…
Early reflexes Reflex behaviors are automatic involuntary, innate responses to stimulation. Human infants have an estimated 27 major reflexes, many of which are present at birth or soon after. Examples of types of reflexes are involuntary reflexes, also called reflex behavior which is controlled by the lower brain centers. Other examples are primitive reflexes, postural reflexes, and locomotors reflexes * Primitive reflex: sucking, rooting for the nipple. * Moro reflex: response to being startled * Postural reflex: reaction to changes in position or balance * Locomotor reflex: walking, swimming, do not appear until months after the reflexes have disappeared.
Involuntary reflexes disappear after six to twelve months. Protective reflexes such as blinking, yawning coughing sneezing, shivering and dilation of the pupils in the dark, remain. The unneeded reflexes that disappear have been partially myelinated, shifting to voluntary behavior.
Molding the Brain: The Role of