12.6 Flashcards
Neural integration
Brains ability to process store and recall information
Excitatory postsynaptic potentials
- result from Na+ influx, moving membrane potential closer to threshold
Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials
-happens when Cl- enters of K+ exits making it less likely to fire an action potential
Presynaptic facilitation
-Occurs when one presynaptic neuron enhances another -Enhances synaptic transmission,
Allows for greater neurotransmitter release
Presynaptic inhibition
-Occurs when one presynaptic neuron suppresses another -Reduces neurotransmitter release
Prevents unwanted signals from being transmitted
Alzheimer’s disease
-decline in memory loss
-mood change, loss of communication ability, physical decline
-linked to deficiencies in ACh and nerve growth factor
Parkinson’s disease
-degeneration of dopamine releasing neurons leading to motor function loss
-involuntary muscle contractions, slurred speech, pokers face
Memory traces
Pathways in the brain that represent stored information formed through synaptic changes
Synaptic plasticity
Ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken overtime
Immediate memory
Lasts a few seconds allowing for brief retention of information
Short term memory
Lasts seconds to hours holding limited information for short duration
Long term memory
Can last a lifetime
Much larger capacity for information storage
Synaptic potentiation
Process of making transmission easier
Summation
Process of adding up postsynaptic potentials and responding to their net effect
Temporal summation
Intense stimulation of one single synapse that generates EPSP very quickly
