Biology 1st Edition by Jerome Krueger, Kendra Hill, Robert Noyd

Exercise 16

Human brains go through a rapid growth spurt during weeks 26-38 (the third trimester), so they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol during this period. Developing neurons are impaired by the interactions with alcohol. Signals indicating that development is not progressing normally are sent. The end result is that the neurons are sent into apoptosis. How do you think this ultimately affects the brain?