Prefrontal Cortex and Limbic System in the

¶ … prefrontal cortex and limbic system in the play years. What are their functions? How do they differ? What changes occur in a child's behavior as a result of a maturing limbic system and prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex and the limbic system are very central in the early childhood development and in particular during the play years of the child.

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for the triggering of the spontaneous activities, initiating drive in the growing kid, keeping the kid active and helping in the coordination of the movements and behavior (Michael H. Thimble, 1990). These are very significant aspects for a growing kid. On the other hand, the limbic system is the brain area that is very important especially in the regulation and expression of emotions.

The limbic system is divided into three major portions as the Amygdala; which is a tiny part of the brain that is responsible for the registry of emotions. Hippocampus; is responsible for the processing of memory and in particular the memory of locations. Hypothalamus; this is the brain area that responds to the Amygdala and the hippocampus and in effect produces hormones that activate the other parts of the body and brain into activity (Cassie Landers, 2012).

A maturing of the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex will see the child having more coordinated movements, ability to balance the emotions during play, an active child with the right judgment and insight, coordinated behavior exhibited and attention to particular details. 2. Describe the process and timing in which prenatal, phenotypical sex determination occurs. Identify any chromosomes, genes, and hormomnes that might be involved in that process. What are the Wolffian and Mullerian processes, and what roles do they play in the development of male and female sex organs.

The human male determination is marked at about five weeks of the gestation with the differentiation of the testis. At this stage, the embryonic testis produces testosterone and the Mullarian. The Mullarian are powerful hormones that divert the developmental pathways particularly along the male lines. Here, the testis determining factor helps in the switching of the genital ridge (the indifferent gonad) to testis differentiation by the action of the genes.

There are a number of genetic accidents like the lack of mutation of TDF or inhibition of the actions of the testosterone that can alter the male determination pathway, resulting into a phenotype of the baby being female. The male development is known as the "default pathway" and female commonly referred to as "mutant males" (Jennifer S. Marshall, 2012). The function of the Wolffian and the Mullerian is particularly observable 15 days after conception.

In the females, the caudal segments of the Wolffian and the Mullerian ducts are observed to fuse and migrate caudally, yet on the male they never fuse but instead remain in their original positions. The vagina is therefore formed by the down-growth of the Wolffian and Mullerian ducts along the sinus ridge. After the fusion of the two, the sinus ridges regress leaving the definitive vagina to be formed by the Mullerian ducts (Mauch R.B. et.al., 2012). 3. Describe the attachment theory proposed by john Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth.

What is the strange situation? What were the results of this experiment on a child's ability to attach securely or insecurely? Describe the various type of attachment and the styles of parenting that contribute to each kind of attachment. New born babies immediately need someone to take care of them who may be apparent, a sibling or a nanny, but whoever it is there will be a bond formed between them.

The primary care giver is the one that will most shape the child personality & character (Bowl by and Ainsworth). The primary care giver is usually the mother & strong bonds are formed within minutes of giving birth. The natural procession attachment can be disrupted by too many people in the room right after the birth which can have long-term effect on the relationship between the child & parents (Marie Davis.1999). Ainsworth strange situation assessment involves five steps, 1. Parent and the child are alone.