If a tree branch is cut, the surrounding branches may grow enough to fill in the empty space left by the missing branch. When this same type of event occurs in the nervous system following brain damage, it is called:
A) hemiplegia.
B) denervation supersensitivity.
C) collateral sprouting.
D) tree branching.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Collateral sprouting is the phenomenon where neighboring neurons, after a neuron has been damaged, grow new branches in order to compensate for the loss of function. This is similar to how surrounding tree branches might grow to fill in the empty space left by a missing branch. Hemiplegia refers to paralysis on one side of the body, while denervation supersensitivity is a different aspect of nerve regeneration. "Tree branching" is not a recognized term in neuroscience.

If a Tree Branch Is Cut, the Surrounding Branches May