Hinengaro mīharo – The amazing brain

What's happening in my brain in the first trimester

First trimester

The brain and the nervous system is made up of billions of cells called nuerons. These are the basic building blocks of the brain. They receive, process, store and send information within the brain. Neurons that are responsible for movement are connecting and māmā might feel little 'fluttering' movements.

Pēpi will start to move his waewae and matimati, he'll start to suck, grasp, yawn and hiccup.

We can see the neural tube which is the beginning of the brain and spinal cord and during the first trimester start to see the two halves of his brain.

Want to know more about the neurons?

There are three parts of the neuron:

• Cell body – Regulates all the functions of the cell and acts as a gatekeeper in passing along the signals it receives from other neurons. This is the control centre,
• Axon – A long fibre that extends from the cell body and sends out signals to other neurons. 
• Dendrites – The fibres that receive signals from other neurons.

Kia maumahara:

But don't forget the synapse – It’s the spark in the gap between the neurons where the connections are made. These are all the things that make our brain function.

How can you remember all  these new terms?

Here's a little waiata to help, you can even sing this to pēpi.

The Dendrite's connected to the cell body
The cell body's connected to the axon
The axon synapses with a dendrite
Ko ēnei ngā ara o te roro
And these are the pathways in the brain.

dendrites,cellbody axon,synapses,
dendrites,cellbody axon,synapses,
dendrites,cellbody axon,synapses,
Ko ēnei ngā ara o te roro, and these are the pathways in the brain.

(Tune: Dem bones...)

Watch this space for more exciting brain food and maybe you can share some ideas you have about pēpi and his growing brain.