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Difficulty: EasySecondary and High-Frequency Alternative Meanings

In her landmark monograph on neurodevelopment, Dr. Aris demonstrated that neural circuits in adolescent brains remain extraordinarily plastic, readily forging new synaptic connections when exposed to novel cognitive challenges.

In the context of the sentence above, which of the following is closest in meaning to the word "plastic"?

  1. A
    synthetic
  2. adaptableAnswer
  3. C
    fragile
  4. D
    permanent
  5. E
    artificial

Answer

The word "plastic" in this context means "adaptable" or capable of being molded and changed.
In neurobiology, the term 'plastic' describes biological structures that are flexible, malleable, and capable of reorganizing. Because the text explicitly describes brain circuits forming new connections in response to challenges, 'adaptable' is the precise contextual equivalent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context surrounding the target word.
The text states that neural circuits remain plastic because they "readily forge new synaptic connections when exposed to novel cognitive challenges."
The surrounding clause directly describes a process of active structural change and reorganization.
2
Identify the required secondary definition.
In scientific and academic contexts, "plastic" means malleable, pliable, or capable of modification.
Standard dictionary definitions related to synthetic materials do not make sense when applied to living brain tissue.
3
Match the secondary meaning to the correct option.
The word "adaptable" accurately reflects the ability to alter structure and function.
It directly captures the concept of biological neuroplasticity emphasized in the sentence.

Key Concept

Secondary and High-Frequency Alternative Meanings of Common Words
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Secondary and High-Frequency Alternative Meanings

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