- Amongst all vertebrates, there are distinct neural systems 
- This means that the brain/ spinal cord is seperate from the peripheral nervous system 

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- Development begins from common structure (dorsal tube)
- Symmetry within brain structures (bilateral symmetry) 
- Construction of spinal nerves with spinal cord (segmentation)
- Communication between brain and spinal cord (hierarchical control) 
- Differentiated neural systems 
- Localized functions

Common Neural Features in Vertebrates

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

- In all vertebrates, a specific structure of the brain (known as the cerebral hemispheres) are close to mirror images of one another 
- This is known as "bilateral symmetry"

Bilateral Symmetry 

- Within each "level" (segment) of the spinal cord, some spinal nerves will extend from the structure
- This is another commonality amongst vertebrates 

Segmentation 

- The cerebral hemispheres of the brain control/ regulate spinal cord activity (common amongst vertebrates)

Hierarchical control 

Separate Neural Systems 

- Amongst all vertebrates, specific regions of the central nervous system are responsible for specific functions 

Localization of Function 

- All vertebrate systems utilize an early embryonic structure known as the dorsal neural tube
- The "head" of this structure will go on to form various subdivisions of the brain   

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