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Discussing Adaptations of the Human Brain


The human brain develops slowly, long after birth. Even the adult brain displays plasticity. Considering this, what are the benefits of the ability to mold a brain physically to adapt to a specific environment? Discuss some examples of how this would be adaptive. Provide any references which are used to formulate a response to this question.

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What are the benefits of the ability to mold a brain physically to adapt to an environment?

Plasticity refers to the changing ability of neurons in the brain. The interface between incoming sensory information and processing of that information is formed by brain functions that include the hippocampus, amygdale, and prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is the last part of the brain to reach maturity, and is influential in mediating high cognitive functions (Pinel, 2006). According to Pinel, mature brains are highly plastic, and studies are presented revealing that the brain is not a static organ, but is continually adapting. Adaptation by definition is a change in response to a stimulus and is the result of sensory systems that include energy-gathering structures and neural networks (Laughlin, 1989). The brain is viewed as a complex adaptive system as brain circuits depend on each other for processing of information. The benefit of molding a brain to physically adapt to an environment is in understanding the neuro-development (maturity) of the brain , and its interaction with the environment. For ...

Solution Summary

In about 670 words, including four scholarly references, this solution discusses the adaptations of the brain and uses many examples to illustrate how a brain can be adaptive in different environments or under different circumstances.

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