AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -During synaptic pruning, the brain eliminates extra synapses. Synapses are brain structures that allows the neurons to transmit an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. Synaptic pruning is thought to be the brain’s way of removing connections in the brain that are no longer needed.

Detailed explanation-2: -Synaptic pruning, a phase in the development of the nervous system, is the process of synapse elimination that occurs between early childhood and the onset of puberty in many mammals, including humans. Pruning starts near the time of birth and continues into the late-20s.

Detailed explanation-3: -The formation of neural networks by neural pruning is an example of neuroplasticity, so you could use the information in this post to explain neuroplasticity.

Detailed explanation-4: -Synaptic pruning is the process by which these extra synapses are eliminated thereby increasing the efficiency of the neural network. The entire process continues up until approximately 10 years of age by which time nearly 50% of the synapses present at 2 years of age have been eliminated [2].

Detailed explanation-5: -Dr. Smith points out that the mice with too many brain connections, which do not undergo synaptic pruning, are able to learn spatial locations, but are unable to re-learn new locations after the initial learning, suggesting that too many brain connections may limit learning potential.