Final answer:
The relationship between brain size and cortical re-organization involves the cerebral cortex adapting to spatial limitations by increasing folding, allowing for greater cognitive function. Throughout life stages, particularly adolescence, the brain becomes more efficient and complex without substantial size increase. Neuroplasticity further highlights the brain's adaptable re-organization capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between brain size and cortical re-organization is a key aspect in the study of neuroscience and evolutionary biology. The human brain, while constrained by the size of the birth canal to fit within the cranial cavity, has adapted by developing extensive folding in the cerebral cortex. This adaptation permits a greater amount of gray matter, which is linked to cognitive capabilities, to be packed into the limited space available. During adolescence, although the overall brain size does not increase significantly, the brain undergoes substantial changes, such as an increase in the number of folds in the cerebral cortex, synaptic pruning, and myelination, leading to enhanced efficiency and cognitive development.
Furthermore, the evolution and complexity of mammalian behavior, particularly in species like apes, whales, and dolphins, correlate with an increased brain-to-body size ratio and a higher surface area of the cortex due to more pronounced cortical folding. This increase in surface area is thought to contribute to the intelligence and complex social behaviors evidenced in these species. Lastly, the process of neuroplasticity illustrates the brain's capacity to undergo re-organization in response to various factors such as learning, development, injury, or environmental changes at any stage of life, although it is more pronounced in the early years.