long term depression

Question 1

Long-Term Depression

Answer 1

Long-Term Depression
Refers to the long-lasting weakening of synaptic pathways due to the repeated low levels of activation (Sub-threshold stimulation) of the same neural pathways.
• The post-synaptic neuron becomes less responsive to the neurotransmitter released by the presynaptic neuron. Thus, weakening the synaptic connection and therefore the effectiveness of the communication

Question 2

Q1 ) Identify a function of long-term depression in learning and describe the neural processes that occur to allow for this function.

Answer 2

Q1 ) Identify a function of long-term depression in learning and describe the neural processes that occur to allow for this function.
Long-term depression functions to ensure the optimal amount of synaptic connections are present for learning, weakening any that are unnecessary. It occurs when postsynaptic neurons within a neural pathway experience subthreshold stimulation, resulting in the weakening of certain neural connections/memory traces that are not regularly activated.