Question

In the human brain, a great deal of synaptic pruning occurs in early childhood. This pruning appears to be:_______.

A. The unfortunate result of insufficiently stimulating home and school environments.
B. The result of the fact that the cortex is slowly taking over responsibility for functions that have previously been controlled by other parts of the brain.
C. Due to an imbalance of important nutrients, and especially to low levels of the B vitamins in many children's diets.
D. An adaptive process that allows children to deal more efficiently with their environment.

Answer 1

Answer: D. An adaptive process that allows children to deal more efficiently with their environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Synaptic pruning is a natural process between early childhood and adulthood which occurs in the brain. The brain removes the extra synapses during synaptic pruning. Synapses are brain structures that allow the neurons to transmit to another neuron an electrical or chemical signal.

Synaptic pruning is thought to help the brain transition from adolescence, when it can quickly learn and make new connections, to adulthood, when it is much more stable in its structure, but can concentrate on a single question for longer and conduct more complex thinking processes. Synaptic pruning make brain more adaptive to the external environment in early ages.

Hence, the correct option is D. An adaptive process that allows children to deal more efficiently with their environment.