Final answer:
The neural plate undergoes neurulation to form the neural tube, which is essential for the development of the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.
Step-by-step explanation:
The neural plate undergoes a process of cell movements and shaping known as neurulation, during which it folds to form the neural tube. This structure is foundational to the development of the central nervous system, eventually giving rise to the brain and spinal cord. The neural tube is distinct from the notochord, which lies beneath it and contributes to the formation of intervertebral discs, and from the somites, which differentiate into the axial skeleton, skeletal muscle, and dermis. It also remains separate from the neural crest, which is involved in the development of the peripheral nervous system and other structures such as craniofacial cartilage and bone.