Answer :
Final answer:
The brain's special physical capacity for change is known as neuroplasticity. It enables the brain to form new neural connections, adapt to new experiences or learning, and repair itself after injury. Neuroplasticity is vital throughout our lives for continuous learning and adapting.
Explanation:
In response to the question, the brain's special physical capacity for change is referred to as its neuroplasticity. This term embodies the brain's dynamic ability to undergo structural and functional alterations in response to experiences and adaptations following injury. The concept of plasticity indicates how our brains can rewire and form new neural communication pathways, a process that is crucial for learning, memory formation, and recovery from brain damage. Neuroplasticity is most evident during childhood but continues throughout adulthood, allowing for continual learning and adaptation.
Neuroplasticity can involve the creation of new synapses, pruning of synapses that are no longer used, changes in glial cells, and even the birth of new neurons. This process is instrumental for the brain's resilience and adaptability, exemplified when individuals recover from a neurological event like a stroke, or when learning and mastering new skills such as playing a musical instrument.