Brain Structures
Which small, almond-shaped region of the brain processes emotions and memory?
Amygdala
Up to what age does the human brain continue to actively remodel and mature?
Mid 20's or the first quarter century of life
What happens to neural connections in your brain if you practice a skill, like playing the piano, regularly?
The brain retains and strengthens those synapses/pathways
Name the two brain chemicals/neurotransmitters that make adolescent brains highly sensitive to social rewards like "likes" and compliments.
Dopamine and Oxytocin
When a middle schooler experiences a breakup or loses a big game, which brain structure are they relying on if they react instantly with intense emotion
Amygdala
Which region of the brain governs reason, forethought, impulse control, and long-term planning?
Frontal Cortex or Prefrontal Cortex
In what physical direction does brain remodeling and pruning occur inside the head?
From back to front
What is the process called where the brain eliminates unused or ineffective neural pathways?
Pruning or Synaptic Pruning
Why do social media rewards affect teens more strongly than adults?
Teen brains seek higher rates of reinforcement because their sense of self is still forming and their brains are more sensitive to dopamine/oxytocin.
What brain area helps a student put a bad test grade into proper perspective rather than assuming their life is ruined?
Frontal Cortex
A teenager's brain is about 95% of adult size, but its internal modeling and fine-tuning are still incomplete.
True
Name one of the two neuroimaging scan technologies scientists use to see that the brain is still developing under age 25. (Extra 100 if you name both)
PET or fMRI scan