This process, called neurulation, begins very early in development, around three weeks after conception. Here's a simplified breakdown:
1. Formation of the neural plate: A group of cells on the embryo's back surface differentiates to form a thickened area called the neural plate.
2. Folding of the neural plate: The neural plate folds inwards, forming a groove called the neural groove.
3. Closure of the neural tube: The edges of the neural groove fuse together, forming the neural tube, which will eventually develop into the brain and spinal cord.
This early formation of the nervous system is crucial for the development of all other organs and tissues.
