What is brain plasticity?

• A. The brain's fixed structure.
• B. The brain's ability to be flexible and change when new information expands or replaces previous knowledge.
• C. A brain disease.
• D. The brain's resistance to change.

Answer: (B)

Brain plasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt by changing its connections in response to learning and experience. When a child learns something new or is exposed to different environments, neurons form new synapses, strengthen important pathways, and prune away less-used ones. This flexible wiring helps new skills become easier to perform and allows the brain to rewire after injury or disruption. It’s not a fixed structure, not a disease, and not resistant to change—the brain actively reshapes itself with practice and experience, especially during development. Adequate nutrition supports this process by providing the building blocks the brain needs to form and maintain connections.