Plasticity

Question 1

Neurogenesis?

Answer 1

From before birth to (and during) adulthood, new brain cells are formed, divided and multiplied, creating 250,000 cells per minute.

Question 2

Neural migration?

Answer 2

Neurons travel to their specified destination in the nervous system.

Question 3

Neural maturation?

Answer 3

Dendrites grow and extend to axons of other neurons which results in the formation of pathways between neurons.

Question 4

Synaptogenesis?

Answer 4

The formation of synapses between neurons so that information can be transmitted.

Question 5

Synaptic pruning?

Answer 5

Excessive, weak or unused neurons and synapses are eliminated or pruned. The remaining pathways strengthen through repeated use.

Question 6

Myelination?

Answer 6

Axons of neurons are myelinated; increasing the speed of neural transmission.
Occurs from the back of the brain to the front. Not myelinated fully in adolescence.

Question 7

What does plasticity mean?

Answer 7

Refers to the brain’s malleability.

Question 8

What is adaptive plasticity?

Answer 8

The ability of brain neurons to alter the connection between synapses to suit a person’s environmental conditions