Chapter 4: Physiological Basis Of Motor Learnin

Question 0

What is the continuum of neural modifiability?

Answer 0

Short term changes in the efficiency or strength of synaptic connections&raquo_space;> long-term structural changes in the organization and numbers of connections among neurons

Question 1

What is plasticity?

Answer 1

The ability to show modification

Question 4

What are the structural changes that occur with habituation?

Answer 4

Structural changes in the sensory cells

- a decrease in the number of synaptic connections between sensory neurons, inter neurons and motor neurons

Question 5

What is the difference between short term habituation and long term?

Answer 5

Short term - a decrease in EPSP amplitude between sensory neuron and motor neuron
Long term- a decrease in the number of connections between the sensory and motor neuron

Question 6

What is the difference in short term sensitization and long term?

Answer 6

Short term - an increase in EPSP amplitude between sensory neuron and motor neuron
Long term- an increase in the number of connections between the sensory and motor neuron

Question 7

What is one way sensitization can occur?

Answer 7

By prolonging the action potential through changes in potassium conductance, this allows more NT to be released from the terminals, giving an increased EPSP.

Question 8

Can sensitization be genetically influenced?

Answer 8

Yes. Synthesis of a new protein at the synapse implies that long term sensitization involves changes that are genetically influenced

Question 9

Procedural learning is involved with what brain structures?

Answer 9

Sensorimotor cortex
Basal ganglion
Parietal
Cerebellar structures

Question 10

What are the types of cerebellar structures important in procedural learning?

Answer 10

Climbing fibers > purkinje cells = error (correcting ongoing movement)
Mossy fibers > Purkinje cells = provide kinesthetic information (control of ongoing movement)

Question 11

How do climbing fibers inputs signaling effect the strength of mossy fiber synapses?

Answer 11

The climbing fiber inputs signal error to the purkinje cells may increase or decrease the strength of mossy fiber synapses onto the same purkinje cells.

Question 12

Pathways in what brain structure show a facilitation (long term potentiation LTP)?

Answer 12

Hippocampus

Question 13

What are the the brain areas underlying declarative (explicit) learning?

Answer 13

• frontal > prefrontal cortex & head of the caudate
• medial temporal lobes
• hippocampus

Question 14

In LTP, the somatosensory cortex participates in learning of motor skills (but if those are removed) what structure may take over after learning has occurred?

Answer 14

Thalamus

Question 15

What are some intracellular responses to CNS injury that contribute to the INITIAL loss of function? (2)

Answer 15

1. Diaschisis

2. Edema

Question 16

What is diaschisis?

Answer 16

A transient CNS disorder involving the loss of function in a structurally intact brain area because of loss of input from an anatomically connected injured area

Question 17

What is denervation supersensitivity? Where does it occur?

Answer 17

Occurs when neurons show a loss of input from another brain region. The post synaptic membrane of a neuron becomes hyperactive to a NT. Occurs in CNS

Question 18

What is unmasking of silent synapses? Where does it occur?

Answer 18

CNS. Nonfunctional synapses become functional due to decreased competition from surrounding brain areas.

Question 19

What is neural regeneration?

Answer 19

When injured axons begin sprouting . Occurs in the PNS.

Question 20

What is collateral sprouting?

Answer 20

Neighboring axons sprout to innervate synaptic sites that were previously activated by injured axons.