Chapters 9-11 Flashcards
What is the term for the forming of new synapses?
Synaptogenesis.
What is synaptogenesis dependent on?
Glial cells, especially astrocytes (they provide cholesterol to the developing neurons and help with info).
What is necrosis?
Passive cell death. Cells break apart and spill into extracellular fluid.
What is apoptosis?
Active cell death. (Safer than necrosis). Insides are “packaged” before the cell breaks apart.
What is responsible for the increase in size of the human brain from birth to adulthood?
Synaptogenesis, myelination of axons, and increased branching of dendrites.
How does dendritic branching progress?
From deeper to more superficial layers.
What is the working memory?
Like the RAM of the computer. Keeps relevant information accessible.
What is the preservative error?
Making a response that was formally correct, currently incorrect. Working memory still developing.
What is the growth of new neurons called?
Neurogenesis
How does neurogenesis work in adults?
New olfactory bulbs are created from adult neural stem cells, hippocampal cells are created near their final location.
What is a spectrum disorder?
A group of related disorders. i.e. autism spectrum
What are the six causes of brain damage?
BCCING: Brain tumors, Cerebrovascular disorders, Closed-head injuries, Infections, Neurotoxins and Genetic factors.
What are the two types of strokes?
Cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral ischemia
What is cerebral hemorrhage?
Bleeding in the brain, commonly caused by an aneurysm(“balloon” in the wall of an artery).
What is cerebral ischemia?
Blockage of blood vessel(s) that leads to a toxic glutamate cascade.
What is a contusion?
A closed-head injury(brain meets skull) that results in damage to the cerebral circulatory system, leading to a hematoma (bruise).
What is a concussion?
Blow to the head affecting consciousness, multiples lead to dementia-cerebral scarring.
What was the case of Jerry?
Ex-boxer, had punch-drunk syndrome, caused by thousands of blows to his head.
Bacterial brain infections cause:
Cerebral abscesses(pockets of pus) and meningitis(inflammation of the meninges).
Describe MS:
A progressive, auto-immune disease, attacks the myelin of the axons of the CNS
What are neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques?
Present in an Alzheimer’s brain. tangles of protein, and clumps of scar tissue (degenerating neurons and amyloid protein).
What are the two mechanisms of neural regeneration?
Strengthening of existing connections, establishing of new connections (collateral sprouting)
What are the three main contributions of HM’s case?
Memory has a location in the brain, different modes of memory storage, discovery of explicit Vs implicit memories.
What is the name of HM’s condition?
Medial temporal lobe amnesia.
What are repetition priming tests?
For testing implicit memory.
What are the two categories of explicit memory?
Semantic (facts/info) and episodic (personal events).
What was the case of KC?
No episodic memory.
What was the case of R.B?
Global cerebral ischemia; interruption of blood supply to entire brain.
What is the standard consolidation theory?
Memories are temporarily stored in the hippocampus until they can be transferred.
What is reconsolidating?
Memory is accessed, held in short term memory, then reconsolidated.
What are the two types of implicit memory?
Procedural (riding a bike) and priming (“bias” towards recalling certain information).
What are the two conclusions on how memories are stored?
They are stored diffusely on the entire brain, and become more resistant to disruption over time.
Where are visual memories stored?
Inferotemporal cortex
How does the amygdala affect memory storage?
Involved with emotional memories, strengthens them. Memories are stored elsewhere, though.
How does damage to the prefrontal cortex affect memory?
Damages episodic memory and working memory - have trouble with anything that involves “steps”
What role does the cerebellum play in memory?
Memories for sensory motor tasks.
What role does the striatum play in memory?
Memories for relationships between stimuli and responses.
