The human brain is an impressive organ that plays a central role in the human nervous system. The human brain along with the spinal cord forms the central nervous system. There are various structures that form the brain including the cerebellum, cerebrum, and brain stem. Different parts of the brain perform various functions by interacting with other parts of the brain. Experts, researchers, and scientists have always been interested in learning more about the brain. Because of this, there are many theories that have emerged over the past centuries regarding the brain. Earlier, it was believed that the human brain was more of a rigid structure. This means that the human brain pretty much remains stable and unchanging throughout the years.
Brain plasticity or neuroplasticity is the property of the brain which allows it to change or adapt to different situations or conditions depending on the kind of learning which an individual goes through. It is important for an individual to note that by neuroplasticity it does not mean that the brain is plastic. Instead, what is implied by this term is that just like plastic the brain can also be molded or changed to a certain extent due to the kind of experiences which it goes through. There are many students who decide to work on assignments on this topic but they often end up getting stuck since this is a rather difficult topic. If you are one of those students then it is suggested that you should get online assignment help from the best assignment writer.
The Anatomy and Function of Brain
Before learning about neuroplasticity and the brain plasticity age difference which can be found in individuals, it is important for the readers to learn about the anatomy and functions of the brain. It weighs three pounds and basically just controls all the functions in a human body. Apart from that, the human brain embodies the essence of mind and soul along with serving the function of interpreting information from the outside world. Some of the things governed by the brain include emotions, intelligence, creativity, and memory. The brain is protected within the skull and there are many parts of the brain. Those are
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain which is further divided into hemispheres. These hemispheres are known as the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. Some of the most important functions which are performed by the cerebrum include controlling fine movements of the body, reasoning, speech, emotions, learning, and interpreting information received from the senses of touch, hearing, and vision.
This is the second major part of the brain which is located under the cerebrum. This part of the brain serves the purpose of controlling and coordinating various muscle movements, balance, and maintaining the correct posture of the body.
The Brain Stem
The brain stems from a relay center that serves the purpose of connecting the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. The brain stem performs a range of automatic functions including sneezing, digestion, coughing, sleep and wake cycle, body temperature, heart rate, breathing, swallowing, and vomiting.
The anatomy and structure of the brain is a very interesting topic which one can use for working on an assignment. However, this is not an easy topic to work on. This is why if a student needs some extra assignment help then they should contact the best instant assignment writer.
Brain Plasticity and Behavior in the Developing Brain
Brain plasticity is also known as neuroplasticity and it refers to the ability of the brain to constantly change and adapt according to the life experiences which an individual goes through. It is important for an individual to know that by neuroplasticity one does not mean that the brain is plastic. Instead, by the term neuroplasticity, it is implied that the brain of an individual is somewhat similar to plastic in its property of being able to change to a certain extent on the basis of various experiences which one goes through. This theory of neuroplasticity is very different from the earlier view which was held regarding the brain. It was believed earlier, that the brain is rather stagnant in terms of its growth after a certain age. However, that theory was later proven false and has been replaced by neuroplasticity.
There are also different types of neuroplasticity. Those types of neuroplasticity are mentioned below.
This type of plasticity refers to the physical changes which can occur inside the brain of an individual depending on the kind of experiences and memories which one forms.
Functional plasticity refers to a condition in which if one area of the brain injured then the function performed by that area of the brain transferred to some other area of the brain which remains undamaged.
Both of these types of neuroplasticity can take place in both adult brains and the brains of young children. However, it is important to know that the extent of structural plasticity is rather less in adult brains as compared to the brain of a child.
The Role of Age in Neuroplasticity
One of the most obviously defined characteristics of neuroplasticity is the kind of role which the age of an individual plays. It is important for an individual to first know that changes can occur in the brain throughout the lifetime of an individual. However, an individual would be more susceptible to certain life stages or ages.
For example, the human brain grows and changes physically a lot during the first few years of an individual’s life. This means that any type of structural plasticity would be more likely to occur in a child in comparison to an adult. Further, young brains would be more responsive and sensitive to any outside experience or pressure to change. Genetic also plays an important role in determining the extent of neuroplasticity which one can go through.
The brain is a complex structure that was earlier believed to be more of a machine. It was believed that the brain does not go under any changes after birth. However, neuroplasticity has proven that thinking incorrect by stating that the brain has the potential to change and adapt to experiences all throughout the lifetime of an individual. There are certain changes in the brain which one would be more susceptible to during a young age instead of when one becomes an adult. There is still a lot that is not known about neuroplasticity and how it can differ with age. Hence, it is important to conduct further studies to learn more about this topic.