BRAINCAKEFormation of the Brain
The brain and spinal cord develop from a structure in the early embryo called the neural tube.
About three weeks after fertilisation, a strip of ectoderm along the back of the embryo thickens to form the neural plate. The edges of the plate rise up as neural folds, which curl towards each other and fuse, forming a hollow neural tube. This process is called neurulation. If the tube does not close properly, conditions such as spina bifida can result, which is one reason folic acid is recommended in early pregnancy.
By about four weeks, the front end of the tube has swollen into three primary brain vesicles:
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Key terms in this lesson
- cerebrum
- The largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres, responsible for conscious thought, sensation and voluntary movement.
More in Mammalian Nervous System
- The Retina
- Rods
- Cones
- Colour Vision
- Major Areas of the Brain
- Other Areas of the Brain
- Spinal Cord
- Reflex Responses
All 38 lessons in Mammalian Nervous System · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics