One Reason Why Brain Functioning Begins to Change in Middle

question 33

Multiple Choice

One reason why brain functioning begins to change in middle adulthood is that

• A)middle-aged adults do not take good care of themselves,and it affects the health of their brains.
• B)middle-aged adults carry greater loads of stress,which adversely affects their health.
• C)researchers have found that 20 genes that are vital to learning,memory,and mental flexibility begin to function less efficiently as early as age 40.
• D)middle-aged adults are too busy to participate in mental learning and activities to maintain mental flexibility.

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Definitions:

π Molecular Orbitals

Orbitals formed by the overlap of p-orbitals across adjacent atoms, involved in pi bonding, crucial for the understanding of conjugated systems.

Occupied π Molecular Orbitals

π molecular orbitals that contain electrons; they are involved in bonding between atoms and are crucial for understanding the reactivity of molecules.

Cyclobutadiene

A highly unstable, conjugated diene with the molecular formula C4H4, characterized by a square planar structure that challenges classical bonding theories.

[4]annulene

A cyclic compound made up of four conjugated carbon atoms, known for its planar structure and aromatic behavior despite having 4 π-electrons, which does not follow Huckel's rule for aromatic stability.