On her first birthday, Alena takes her first steps, which are clumsy and awkward. By her second birthday, her steps are smooth and coordinated. This transition in Alena's walking skills best illustrates the concept of:

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The transition from clumsy and awkward steps to smooth and coordinated walking in Alena illustrates synaptic plasticity. This concept refers to the ability of synapses (the connections between neurons in the brain) to strengthen or weaken over time, in response to increases or decreases in their activity. Alena's improvement in walking skills is a result of her brain's synaptic connections becoming more efficient through practice and development.

On Her First Birthday, Alena Takes Her First Steps, Which