Scientific Understanding of Consciousness |
Embryonic Development of Neural Network· Structural protein layout is determined by genetics in the early embryo. · Axons of the earliest “pioneer” neurons follow the structure. · Axons of later neurons follow the pathways of earlier pioneer neurons. · Axon growth cones arrive in the proper termination space, but individual synaptic connections are only approximate. There results an approximate 3:1 excess of synapses in the newly-formed neural network. · There is not sufficient information in the human genome to precisely determine the synaptic connections in the neural network. · Neural activity refines the neural network synaptic connections. Synapses are maintained on a “use it or lose it” basis.
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