During adolescence and adulthood, cognitive functions such as memory and judgment generally become more complex. According to the text, the neurological event most closely associated with such changes is:
A) an increase in the number of neurons in the brain
B) an increase in the overall size of the neurons in the cortex of the brain
C) a decrease in the amount of myelin present in the brain
D) a decline in gray matter that occurs after childhood

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decline in gray matter that occurs after childhood is associated with increased cognitive complexity and maturation in areas such as memory and judgment during adolescence and adulthood. This is because gray matter contains neuronal cell bodies and synapses, which are important for cognitive processing. As gray matter density decreases, it reflects a process of synaptic pruning and refinement that allows for more specialized neural networks and increased cognitive efficiency.

During Adolescence and Adulthood, Cognitive Functions Such as Memory and Judgment