Read the section "Brains Under Construction."
Select the paragraph from the article that suggests specific regions of the brain can perform multiple
functions.
(A) Let's break that down, starting with preteen and teen behaviors. The brain region that tells us we
shouldn't eat chips all the time - and helps us resist that urge
is the last to mature, Called the
prefrontal cortex, this region doesn't fully develop until we are in our early 20s.
(B) "Most of our complex brain functions happen in the prefrontal cortex," says Reichelt. This includes
complex math and reading, but she notes that it also includes "how to assess risky behavior."
(C) In fact, these regions are even more sensitive when we are young. That's because of a natural
chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is sometimes called the "feel good" chemical, and it lifts our mood
when we experience something rewarding. And it is especially active in adolescent brains.
(D) The teen brain, thus, has two strikes against it when it comes to resisting junk food. "It has a
heightened drive for rewards and reduced self-regulation," says Reichelt.