A01

• What does the term 'plastic' refer to in the context of the brain?

  It refers to the brain's ability to change.
• At what age does the number of synaptic connections peak?

  2-3 years of age
• How many synaptic connections does a neuron have at its peak?

  15,000 per neuron
• What happens to rarely-used synaptic connections as we age?

  They are deleted through synaptic pruning.
• What is synaptic pruning?

  It is the process of deleting unused connections.
• What misconception about the adult brain has changed?

  It can change and form new connections.
• Who conducted research on the brains of London taxi drivers?

  Eleanor Maguire et al.
• What was found in the posterior hippocampus of taxi drivers?

  More volume of grey matter than controls.
• What is the posterior hippocampus associated with?

  Spatial and navigational skills development.
• What is 'The Knowledge' test for taxi drivers?

  It assesses recall of city streets and routes.
• How does the duration of being a taxi driver relate to brain structure?

  Longer duration correlates with structural differences.
• Who studied the brains of medical students before and after exams?

  Bogdan Draganski et al.
• What changes were observed in medical students' brains?

  Learning-induced changes in specific brain areas.
• Which brain areas showed changes in medical students?

  Posterior hippocampus and parietal cortex.
• What are the key findings of research into brain plasticity?

  • The brain can change throughout life.
  • Synaptic connections peak at 15,000 per neuron by age 2-3.
  • Synaptic pruning strengthens frequently-used connections.
  • Adult brains can form new connections.
  • Taxi drivers show increased grey matter in the posterior hippocampus.
  • Medical students exhibit learning-induced brain changes.