The role of experience is crucial in the development of the  nervous system. The definition of experience includes neural activity,  hormonal environment, and social interactions, as well as exposure to  sensory stimuli. There are a variety of organism-environment  interactions that guide the development of the nervous system. There  is evidence that early sensory experiences enhance brain development  and make for a more intelligent adult. A common theme throughout the  book is the biological mechanism of early experiential influences in  neural development. The book covers three stages of development: (1)  embryonic or perinatal manipulations; (2) manipulations early after  birth or hatching; (3) major periods of transformation in the  organism's life.   The first stimuli felt by an organism is at the embryonic stage. For  example, the expression of prenatal reflexes and movements regulates  the life and death of developing neurons and is necessary for the  normal development of the nervous system. Another example is the  sensory system, the development of which starts before the organism  has any sensory input. Furthermore, interactions between a pregnant or  nursing female and her environment can influence the environment  experienced by her offspring.   As regards the organism's development right after birth, evidence  suggests that sensory deprivation of a particular system may lead to  the death of its neurons. Experiments have been conducted on the  olfactory bulb in the rodent and chick auditory systems.   The major periods of transformation refer to clear changes in neural  structure and function. One of the most extraordinary transformations  observed in developing organisms is metamorphosis. During this stage,  some neurons may die, others alter their anatomy, take on a new  function, and die at a later time. In some organisms, an entirely new  sensory epithelium is formed, while in others, learned behavioral  changes become biologically possible due to growth of cells that  comprise a neural circuit.

The Biology of Early Influences PDF

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