What is the term for the natural cellular death that occurs during prenatal and postnatal brain development?

The term that refers to the natural cellular death occurring during prenatal and postnatal brain development is apoptosis. This process is crucial for shaping the developing brain by eliminating excess neurons that are no longer needed. During both prenatal and postnatal stages, the brain produces more neurons than it ultimately requires. Apoptosis helps refine neural circuits by removing these unnecessary cells, thereby contributing to the overall organization and functionality of the brain.

In contrast, mitosis is the process of cell division that contributes to growth by increasing the number of cells, while neurogenesis pertains specifically to the formation of new neurons. Synaptogenesis refers to the development of synapses between neurons, which is essential for establishing neural connections. Therefore, apoptosis plays a fundamental role in healthy brain development by ensuring that neural networks are appropriately formed and that the right number of neurons is maintained.