{"id":296,"date":"2013-08-06T15:44:44","date_gmt":"2013-08-06T15:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/secd-intro\/?page_id=296"},"modified":"2026-02-26T17:19:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T17:19:32","slug":"bd-1-1-brain-architecture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/secd-intro\/bd-1-1-brain-architecture\/","title":{"rendered":"BD 1.1 Brain architecture"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"brain<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As described on the previous page, the basic structure of the brain is being formed before a child is born and grows rapidly in the first three years of life as illustrated in the Brain Growth graphic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The building blocks of the brain are specialized cells known as neurons. Neurons and basic brain structures are formed before birth. These are described further down on this page. First, learn more about genes, which guide the set up of the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside the neurons or brain cells is where our genetic material \u2013 genes and DNA \u2013 are located. Genes<\/strong> are the basic physical unit of heredity, and together with the influence of the environment, set up the basic structures of the developing brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the next video, biologist Dr. Marla Sokolowski of the University of Toronto describes what a gene is.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n VIEW<\/span>\n Sokolowski – gene (1:36)<\/span>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n