Cell division
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Cluster of cells
After a sperm has fertilized an egg,
the cell divides until it becomes a
mulberry-shaped cluster of cells.
As cells continue to divide, some
will form an inner grouping, which
will become the embryo. Other
cells will form an outer grouping,
which will become the embryo's
support tissue, including the
placenta.
Development of the fetus
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Neurons proliferate
Neurons are being produced at a
rate of up to 50,000 per second.
The neurons, which are produced in
the middle of the brain, migrate
outwards towards the surface and
self-organize into different brain
structures.
The head makes up nearly half of
the fetus' size. Any movement seen
in an ultrasound image is merely
reflex and not deliberate exploring.
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Neural plate
Neural
tube
Neural tube forms
By the 16th day of development, the
neural plate has emerged from the
outermost layer of the embryo.
This single sheet of cells will give
rise to the entire nervous system.
At around 21 days, the neural plate
buckles in the middle and the sheet
of cells curves together to form a
tube.
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Neurons make connections
Between the 20th and 24th weeks,
neurons that have migrated to the
appropriate place now extend
axons and dendrites — nerve fibres
that send and receive electrical
signals — to connect with other
neurons. This forms the complex
neural circuitry that allows
communication between cells.
Growth of the embryo
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The tube closes
The tube then closes along the
midseam, like a zipper, followed by
the closure of the front end, then
the rear end.
If the rear end of the neural tube
does not properly close, the fetus
will have some form of spina bifida.
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Nervous system
The peripheral nervous system has
just connected with the cerebral
cortex, the brain region responsible
for higher thought processes
including memory, awareness and
language.
Fetal experts say it is now possible
for a fetus to have some level of
awareness. This is when a fetus
begins to respond to pain.
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Rapid cell division
After the tube has closed, the
single layer of cells begins to
rapidly divide. A newborn's brain
has 20 billion neurons, which
means the fetal brain must
generate some 250,000 neurons
every minute to meet that
demand.
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Sculpting neural pathways
Neurons continue to generate,
migrate and make connections. But
in the last months of fetal life, the
brain starts to prune back excess
neurons, eliminating cells and
connections that are weak or
duplicate.
By 32 weeks, a fetus has defined
sleep states, including deep, REM
sleep. At this time, a preterm infant
has developed the ability to see.
COMPILED BY MEGAN OGILVIE
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Vesicles develop
During this rapid cell division, three
vesicles emerge from the front
end of the neural tube. The first
and third vesicles divide to create a
total of five vesicles. These will
become the major portions of the
brain.
The embryo now measures about
20 mm in length and all essential
organs have begun to form.
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Birth
A newborn's brain has 20 billion
neurons and a trillion synaptic
connections. Most pronounced in
the first 12 months, brain growth
and development continues for
years after birth. The brain is little
more than one-quarter of its adult
size and the higher regions of the
brain, including the cerebral cortex,
are still primitive.
GRAPHICS BY CATHERINE FARLEY/TORONTO STAR