Final answer:
During adolescence, both girls and boys experience significant brain development, particularly in the prefrontal cortex which affects executive functions. Synaptic pruning increases brain efficiency, and myelination improves cognitive functions. While the timing and maturation rate may differ due to puberty onset, both genders undergo these changes, but hormonal differences could influence their developmental trajectories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differences in the adolescent brain development between girls and boys can be quite nuanced. During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant changes, but it does not increase much in size. Instead, the cerebral cortex becomes more complex. The most notable changes happen in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is involved in decision making, impulse control, and planning. These executive functions mature throughout adolescence. The process of synaptic pruning makes the brain more efficient by eliminating unused neural pathways, while increased myelination occurs, both contributing to improved cognitive functions.
While both girls and boys experience these changes, the timing and rate may vary due to differences in the onset of puberty. Girls generally start puberty earlier, which can lead to earlier maturation of certain brain areas. In both sexes, risk-taking behaviors and emotional outbursts may be observed due to the ongoing development of the frontal lobes. Neurogenesis continues into adulthood, but the most rapid neural growth, known as blooming, occurs earlier in life, followed by the pruning phase that extends into adolescence.
Overall, the adolescent growth spurt contributes to differences in adult size, body composition, and cognitive abilities. Though not entirely clear how these processes differ exactly between girls and boys, it is understood that hormonal differences during puberty likely play a role in influencing these developmental trajectories.