Ch.12 "Learning and Memory"

Question 1

Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 1

A disorder characterized by progressive brain deterioration and impairment of memory and other mental abilities; the most common cause of dementia.

Question 2

Anterograde Amnesia

Answer 2

An impairment in forming new memories.

Question 3

Associative Long-Term Potentiation

Answer 3

Strengthening of a weak synapse when it and a strong synapse on the same postsynaptic neuron are active simultaneously.

Question 4

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

Answer 4

A protein that contributes to neuron growth and survival.

Question 5

Confabulation

Answer 5

Fabrication of stories and facts, which are then accepted by the individual, to make up for those missing from memory.

Question 6

Consolidation

Answer 6

The process in which the brain forms a permanent representation of a memory.

Question 7

Declarative Memory

Answer 7

The memory process that records memories of facts, people, and events that the person can verbalize, or declare.

Question 8

Dementia

Answer 8

Substantial loss of memory and other cognitive abilities usually, but not necessarily, in the elderly.

Question 9

Dendritic Spines

Answer 9

Outgrowths from the dendrites that partially bridge the synaptic cleft and make the synapse more sensitive.

Question 10

Hebb Rule

Answer 10

The principle stating that if an axon of a presynaptic neuron is active while the postsynaptic neuron is firing, the synapse between them will be strengthened.

(Synapse is strengthened if axon of pre is active and post is firing)

Question 11

Korsakoff Syndrome

Answer 11

A form of dementia in which brain deterioration is almost always caused by chronic alcoholism.

Question 12

Long-Term Depression (LTD)

Answer 12

Weakening of a synapse when stimulation of presynaptic neurons is insufficient to activate the postsynaptic neurons.

Question 13

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

Answer 13

An increase in synaptic strength that occurs when presynaptic neurons and postsynaptic neurons are active simultaneously.

Question 14

Neurofibrillary Tangles

Answer 14

Abnormal accumulations of the protein tau that develop inside neurons and are associated with the death of brain cells in people with Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome.

Question 15

Nondeclarative Memory

Answer 15

Non-statable memories that result from procedural or skills learning, emotional learning, and simple conditioning.

Question 16

Place Cells

Answer 16

Cells in the hippocampus that increase their firing rate when the individual is in a specific location in the environment.

(cells that increase their fire rate when in a specific location)

Question 17

Plaques

Answer 17

Clumps of amyloid, a type of protein, that cluster among axon terminals and interfere with neural transmission in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome.
(When amyloid interfere with neural transmission in people with Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome.)

Question 18

Reserve Hypothesis

Answer 18

The hypothesis that individuals with greater cognitive or brain capacity are able to compensate for brain changes due to aging, brain damage, or disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
( individuals with greater brain capacity are able to compensate for brain changes due to aging)

Question 19

Retrieval

Answer 19

The process of accessing stored memories.

Question 20

Retrograde Amnesia

Answer 20

The inability to remember events prior to impairment.

Question 21

Working Memory

Answer 21

A form of short-term memory that provides a temporary “register” for information while it is being used.