Biology of memory

Question 1

Sum-up multi-store model

Answer 1

input–>sensory store –> short-term store (limited capacity) –> long term store (unlimited capacity)

• so stages of memory and things can only be moved from one stage to another through practise
  problem: STS not unitary

Question 2

Sum-up working memory model

Answer 2

Central executive affected and affects visuo-spatial sketch pad (info about space) and phonological loop (speech based info)

Later episodic buffer was added (general storage)

Question 3

Describe the divisions of long-term memory

Answer 3

LTM -> Non-declarative/Declarative

Non-declarative (unconscious) –> skill learning / priming / conditioning

Declarative (conscious) –> semantic (knowledge) memory / episodic memory (events and episodes)

Question 4

Describe the mechanisms in habituation and sensitisation

Answer 4

Habituation: action potential travel down neuron –> calcium enters terminal –> releases neurotransmitters –> action
as habituation occurs less calcium enters –> decline in action

Sensitisation: (ie pinch) serotonin released –> facilitates entry of calcium in terminal –> synapse more sensitive

further sensitisation –> stronger withdrawal response

Question 5

What is long term potential?

Answer 5

Habituation/sensitisation –> increased efficacy of synapse –> LTP (= long term change in strength of neural communication)

Behaviourally seen: ie rats find platforms in water quicker and quicker - located in hippocampus (uses NMDA receptors)

neurophysiologically: change in reactivity of postsynaptic neuron (from stimulation of presynaptic neuron)