Science & Nature · 3
What phenomenon allows the brain to physically restructure itself in response to experience?
Answer
Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain's remarkable ability to change both physically and chemically to adapt to environmental demands and repair damage. Neurons can reorganize and extend themselves to carry out specific functions, creating new neural pathways and rewiring existing ones throughout life. During adolescence, the brain exhibits heightened plasticity as it undergoes significant synaptic pruning and reorganization, refining connections into adult-typical patterns.
💡 Did you know?
The adolescent brain prunes up to 50% of synaptic connections in some regions, creating more efficient neural wiring.
Other options people guess
- Synaptic encoding
- Dendrite crystallization
- Axon myelination
Topics
- neuroscience
- brain-development
- neuroplasticity
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