30 points
Read the section "Brains Under Construction."
Select the paragraph from the article that suggests
specific regions of the brain can perform multiple
functions.
A. Let's break that down, starting with preteen
and teen behaviors. The brain region that tells
us we shouldn't eat chips all the time and
helps us resist that urge is the last to
mature. Called the prefrontal cortex, this
region doesn't fully develop until we are in our
early 20s.
B. "Most of our complex brain functions happen
in the prefrontal cortex, says Reichelt. This
includes complex math and reading, but she
notes that it also includes "how to assess risky
behavior."
C. In fact, these regions are even more sensitive
when we are young. That's because of a
natural chemical called dopamine. Dopamine
is sometimes called the "feel good chemical,
and it lifts our mood when we experience
something rewarding. And it is especially
active in adolescent brains.
D. The teen brain, thus, has two strikes against it
when it comes to resisting junk food. 'It has a
heightened drive for rewards and reduced self-
regulation," says Reichelt.
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