Adolescence

Question 1

What brain structures are effected in adolescence

Answer 1

• Cerebellum
• Amygdala
• Corpus callosum
• Frontal lobe
• Pre-frontal cortex

Question 2

What occurs in the cerebrum during adolescence?

Answer 2

Increase in neurons in the area responsible for balance, muscle tone, and performance of motor skills may explain why some teenagers are more clumsy than adults.

Question 3

What occurs in the amygdala during adolescence?

Answer 3

As it is the emotional centre of the brain, it becomes more active in adolescence, leading to a higher chance of emotional outbursts.

Question 4

What occurs in the corpus callosum during adolescence?

Answer 4

Thickens during adolescence due to the increase in connections between the 2 hemispheres.

Question 5

What occurs in the frontal lobe during adolescence?

Answer 5

Last part of the brain to undergo myelination. Large amount of development occurs throughout puberty.

Question 6

What occurs in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence?

Answer 6

Final area of the frontal lobe to develop. Due to this area being underdeveloped, adolescents often rely on other areas of the brain (eg. the amygdala) to process and respond to stimuli. This possibly explains why teenagers are known for making questionable decisions at times as they would be using the “emotional centre” of the brain, instead of the logical centre.