long term potentiation

Question 1

what is sensitization ?

Answer 1

an INCREASED response to a stimulus after exposure to an intense stimulus

Question 2

what is habituation ?

Answer 2

a DECREASED response to a stimulus after repeated exposure

Question 3

what is long term potentiation ?

Answer 3

long lasting changes at the neuronal level that are involved in learning and memory

Question 4

does LTP cause an increase or decrease in responsiveness of a neuron ?

Answer 4

increase in responsiveness

Question 5

what is long term potentiation caused by ?

Answer 5

synaptic changes

Question 6

where is LTP mostly studied ?

Answer 6

hippocampus

Question 7

when the neuron is highly stimulated there is an increase/decrease in amplitude of EPSPs

Answer 7

increased amplitude

Question 8

where are the electrodes placed in the set up for an experiment of LTP ?

Answer 8

presynaptic neuron and postsynaptic neuron (to record PSPs)

Question 9

what is the term for a high frequency burst of stimulation ?

Answer 9

tetanus

Question 10

where is the tetanus applied ?

Answer 10

presynaptic neuron

Question 11

after tetanus is applied what happens ?

Answer 11

apply normal stimulation to the presynaptic neuron and then larger EPSPs occur in the postsynaptic neuron

Question 12

in the experiment what is the evidence of LTP in a neuron ?

Answer 12

heightened EPSPs

Question 13

is the synaptic connection weaker or stronger after stimulation ?

Answer 13

stronger synaptic connection

Question 14

what are the two types of ionotropic receptors ?

Answer 14

AMPA and NMDA

Question 15

what neurotransmitter binds to AMPA and NMDA receptors ?

Answer 15

glutamate

Question 16

what receptor opens Na+ channels ?

Answer 16

AMPA

Question 17

when glutamate binds to AMPA and opens Na+ channels what happens ?

Answer 17

Na+ enters the cell, K+ exits the cell

Question 18

what element blocks ion channels at resting potential ?

Answer 18

magnesium

Question 19

what other element enters when the ion channels are open ?

Answer 19

Ca2+

Question 20

when Ca2+ enters the neuron through the AMPA/NMDA receptor, it triggers what ?

Answer 20

CaMKII

Question 21

what does CaMKII trigger the release of ?

Answer 21

CREB

Question 22

what is CREB involved in ?

Answer 22

gene expression

Question 23

what magnifies the effects of CaMKII and CREB ?

Answer 23

BDNF

Question 24

what are 3 postsynaptic changes after LTP ?

Answer 24

1. addition of AMPA and/or NMDA receptors
2. growth of dendritic spines
3. AMPA receptors are more responsive

Question 25

what are 2 presynaptic changes during LTP ?

Answer 25

1. decreased threshold for action potentials
2. increased presynaptic release of glutamate

Question 26

is there an increase or decrease in activity in the presynaptic neuron ?

Answer 26

increased activity

Question 27

is there an increase or decrease in responsiveness in the postsynaptic neuron ?

Answer 27

increased responsiveness

Question 28

what can increase the amount of AMPA receptors ?

Answer 28

CaMKII

Question 29

what type of environment can increase dendritic spines ?

Answer 29

enriched environment (learning)

Question 30

what can the 3 ways to prevent LTP from occurring ?

Answer 30

1. blocking NMDA receptors
2. blocking Ca2+
3. blocking CaMKII

Question 31

what is a neurotransmitter that blocks the NMDA receptor to prevent LTP ?

Answer 31

AP5

Question 32

what is the opposite of LTP ?

Answer 32

LTD, long term depression

Question 33

what happens when there is little stimulation to a neuron ?

Answer 33

it becomes less responsive