Chapter 7: Infant, child, teenage brain. Chapter 8; Adult + Aging brain

Question 1

What is synaptic pruning and how is it decided

Answer 1

A babies brain developes 50% more synapses than adults, so it gets rid of synpases based on the child’s experiences

Question 2

Explain the teenage brain and it’s developments

Answer 2

Large capacity to learn, myelin increases meaning faster thoughts, more synaptic pruning,

Question 3

What contibutes to the higher chance of addiction in teenage brains

Answer 3

The large development in corpus callosum, limbic system and frontal region enhances risk taking causing a higher chance of addiction

Question 4

At what age does the brain stop developing?

Answer 4

30 years old

Question 5

What is plasticity

Answer 5

The modification and adaptation of the brain

Question 6

What is experience-expectent platsiticy

Answer 6

integrated environemental situations that are universal, like recongition of faces and hearing langauge

Question 7

what is experience-dependent plasticity

Answer 7

life experiences that are unique and personal, like me playing the harp

Question 8

When does white matter volume peak

Answer 8

your 40’s

Question 9

what is the relationships between white mater and gray matter as you age

Answer 9

more white matter than gray matter

Question 10

What years does intelligence peak

Answer 10

25-60years

Question 11

What happens to the brain cognitevely?

Answer 11

Declarative memory declines, nondeclarative memory remains. Working memory also declines and attention is easily distracted

Question 12

What happens to the brain strucurealy?

Answer 12

Volume declines, some areas more than others (PFC, hippocampus, cerebellum) loss of myelin and degenerating neurons. The cortex also thins

Question 13

What happens to the brain Neuronaly?

Answer 13

Loss of dendrite complexity, thin spines and neurogenesis declines as you age.

Question 14

What happens to the brain chemically

Answer 14

neurotrasnmitter population decreases as well as dopamine and serotonin levels

Question 15

why does the brain age

Answer 15

genes that control synaptic plasticity are less expressed in elders brains

Question 16

Explain how oxidative stress contributes the brain aging and damaging as well as the brains high demand for energy

Answer 16

mitochondrial by products destroy fats and proteins vital to normal cell function wich can damage DNA and make the brain more vulrenable. The brain also demands 20% of energy so the supply can’t keep up

Question 17

Explain how immune dysfunction contributes to an aging brain

Answer 17

microglia, cleaners for neurons, become more reactive with age and increase inflammatory responses

Question 18

Explain how protein recylcling contributes to an aging brain

Answer 18

build up of proteins means cell degeneration and the brain, as it ages, can’t recycle those dead cells so it’s deadly

Question 19

What are the 4 things for a healthy brain

Answer 19

Diet
Exercise
Mental Stimulation
Active Social Network

Question 20

Explain Diet and Exercise for a healthy brain

Answer 20

Vitamins c and E as well as omega 3 acids, a good diet, aerobic workouts all imporve cognitive function and neuroplasticity

Question 21

Explain mental stimulation and social networks for a healthy brain

Answer 21

Reading, puzzles, and musical instruments slow cognitive decline. Active social life means good cognition