KKDP : 1 Neural Basis of Learning

Question 1

What are the 3 behaviours not dependent on learning?

Answer 1

Reflex actions, Fixed action patterns and maturation

Question 2

Reflex Actions

Answer 2

A simple automatic, involuntary behaviour in response to an environmental stimulus

Question 3

Do reflex actions require conscious thought?

Answer 3

Does not require conscious thought

Question 4

What do reflexes allow

Answer 4

Reflexes allow organisms to deal with specific stimuli that are important for their protection or survival

Question 5

What are fixed action patterns

Answer 5

An inborn series of movements or behaviours that occur in almost all members of a species in response to the same specific environmental stimuli

The behaviour is inherited by all members of the species, or one sex of the species and is complex

Question 6

What is Maturation

Answer 6

It involves an orderly sequence of bodily changes, that occur due to development of nervous system structures

Question 7

Reflex actions vs Fixed action patterns

Answer 7

Similarity
1. Both are innate and play a role in survival

Difference

1. FAP’s are more complex and play a role in social behaviour
2. Reflex actions do occur in humans, but FAPS do not (lower order species

Question 8

How does learning effect neural pathways

Answer 8

Learning generally involves the formation of new neural pathways of a strengthening of existing connections between neutrons

Question 9

What happens when we learn a new skill/information?

Answer 9

Neutrons form new connections with each other called synaptogenisis

Question 10

Synaptogenesis

Answer 10

New sprouts, called filigree appendages begin to grow from the axon terminal towards the dendrites of neighbouring, post synaptic neurons

Question 11

The more a pathway is activated during learning…

Answer 11

The more it is strengthened and it is less likely the learning will be forgotten

Question 12

What are the neurotransmitters involved in learning?

Answer 12

Glutamate

Dopamine

Question 13

Glutamate

Answer 13

Linked to learning and the process of encoding,

It is released by the presynaptic neuron and is excitatory which produces long lasting changes to the synapse

Question 14

Dopamine

Answer 14

Closely associated with reward. Seeking behaviours such as addiction, dopamine is released as a motivational substance as a consequence of reward anticipation

Question 15

How glutamate and dopamine act together

Answer 15

After repeated glutamate release, dopamine is usually stimulated which activates the genes in the neurons to make permanent changes to the pathway

Question 16

What is learning?

Answer 16

It is a relatively permanent change in behaviour or knowledge that occurs as a result of experience

It can be active, passive, immediate or delayed

Question 17

Plasticity

Answer 17

It is the ability of the brain’s neural structure to be changed by experience throughout the lifespan

Question 18

Developmental plasticity

Answer 18

Changes in the brain’s neural structure in response to experience during its growth & development

Question 19

adaptive plasticity

Answer 19

Changes in the brains neural structure that enables adjustment to experience, and/or to compensate for a loss of function in the event of brain damage.

Question 20

What are the 5 steps involved in developmental plasticity

Answer 20

Proliferation 
Migration 
Circuit formation 
Circuit pruning
Myelination

Question 21

Proliferation

Answer 21

the process where the unborn baby’s cells that will become neurons divide and multiply

Question 22

Migration

Answer 22

neurons move outwards to their destined location

Question 23

Circuit Formation

Answer 23

the axons of new neurons grow out the target cells and form synapses with them.

Question 24

Circuit Pruning

Answer 24

elimination of excess neurons and synapse that are not being used and have not established a connection with target cells.

Question 25

Myelination

Answer 25

axon of the neurons in the child’s brain becomes covered in myelin.

Question 26

What is involved in adaptive plasticity

Answer 26

Generally, adaptive plasticity enables the brain to compensate for damage by reorganising its structure.

Question 27

what are the 2 processes of recovery found in adaptive plasticity

Answer 27

rerouting and sprouting.

Question 28

rerouting

Answer 28

Rerouting involves an undamaged neuron that has lost a connection with an active neuron, seeking a new active neuron to connect with instead.

Question 29

Sprouting

Answer 29

Sprouting involves the growth of new, bushier nerve fibres with more branches to make new connections.

Question 30

What are sensitive periods (experience expectant learning)

Answer 30

1) The brain ‘expects’ and is primed for being exposed to environmental experiences resulting in a rewiring of the brain
2) the growing brain requires specific types of stimulation so that neural pathways are established
3) brain is dependent on the individual being exposed to certain experiences for these changes to occur

Question 31

experience dependent learning

Answer 31

1) additional skills that are developed as a result of experience throughout our lifespan.
2) brain does not necessarily expect to be exposed to these experiences and therefore there is no optimal time for this time for this form of learning.

Question 32

critical periods

Answer 32

Are very narrow stages of development during which organisms are pre-programmed to learn