Why is it that all neurons in a healthy adult brain have made appropriate connections?
A) Chemical messages from our muscles tell our brain how many neurons to form.
B) If an axon does not make the appropriate connections by a certain age, it dies.
C) We are born with all connections formed.
D) Connections form rapidly, but we learn to use whatever connections have formed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During development, neurons compete for connections and if an axon fails to make appropriate connections within a certain time frame, it undergoes programmed cell death, called apoptosis. This ensures that only those neurons which are necessary for neural communication are retained. As a result, by the time an adult brain is fully developed, all neurons have made appropriate connections.

Why Is It That All Neurons in a Healthy Adult