Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

The development of inhibitory neural pathways in the fetal brain leads to what outcome?

1. Increased brain activity

2. Reduction in activity level

3. Enhanced sensory processing

4. Rapid muscle development

The correct answer is: Reduction in activity level

The development of inhibitory neural pathways in the fetal brain is critical for regulating brain activity and ensuring proper neurological function. Inhibitory pathways serve to balance excitatory signals within the brain, effectively moderating overall neural activity. As these inhibitory neural circuits develop during fetal brain maturation, they help to establish a more organized and efficient neuronal network. The outcome of this development is a reduction in overall activity levels in specific neural circuits, allowing for better control and coordination of brain function. This is particularly important as excessive excitatory activity during early brain development can lead to chaotic neural processing, which might interfere with normal cognitive and motor functions later in life. In contrast, increased brain activity would lead to heightened excitatory responses that could become disorganized. Enhanced sensory processing often relies on a balanced interplay between excitatory and inhibitory systems rather than solely on inhibitory pathways alone. Rapid muscle development pertains more to motor functions driven by different neural controls, not directly to the inhibitory pathways in the brain. Thus, the reduction in activity level is a fundamental aspect of how inhibitory pathways contribute to healthy brain development in the fetal stage.