Explain what the plasticity of infants' brains refers to. Why is it an advantage for human infants to have a brain that is “plastic”? Describe the process of synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning and how these strengthen the brain.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: The ability of the infant brain to change in form and function is referred to as plasticity. If you, as an adult, had one hemisphere of your brain removed, the result would be catastrophic. You would lose movement in the opposite side of your body, as well as the functions handled in that hemisphere. However, until about age 4 or 5, children who have one hemisphere removed to treat an otherwise untreatable condition, such as severe epilepsy, can recover almost full function.
The development of new synapses is referred to as synaptogenesis. The peak of synaptogenesis occurs in the weeks just prior to birth. At 34 weeks gestational age, almost 40,000 new synapses are formed every second, and this continues into the early weeks after the baby is born. In a process called pruning, synaptic connections that are not used deteriorate and disappear. Just as pruning dead branches strengthens a tree, pruning unused synapses strengthens the brain. Rather than being a terrible loss, this process results in a brain that is much more efficient.