Memory and Cognition

Question 1

Define Cognition

Answer 1

The integration of all sensory information to make sense of a situation

Question 2

Name the three parts of the brain involved in learning and memory

Answer 2

Hippocampus, Cortex and Thalamus

Question 3

What is the function of the hippocampus?

Answer 3

Formation of memories

Question 4

What is the function of the cortex?

Answer 4

Storage of memories

Question 5

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 5

Searches and accesses memories

Question 6

What is the significance of the limbic system in relation to memory?

Answer 6

To give events emotional significance - which is essential for memory

Question 7

What are the components of the limbic system?

Answer 7

Amygdala, cingulate gyrus, hippocampus and the hypothalamus

Question 8

What is the function of the limbic system?

Answer 8

To control instinctive behaviour such as thirst, sex, hunger etc. and emotive behavious by seeking reward/puishment

Question 9

What drives motivation?

Answer 9

Reward or punishment

Question 10

What occurs in patients with bilateral hippocampal damage?

Answer 10

Immediate and long term memory in tact but are unable to form new memories

Question 11

Define immediate or sensory memory

Answer 11

Memory which lasts a few seconds

Question 12

Define short-term memory

Answer 12

Memory which lasts seconds-hours. Used for short term tasks and is associated with reverberating circuits

Question 13

Define immediate long-term memory

Answer 13

Memory which lasts hours to weeks. Associated with chemical adaptation at the presynaptic terminal

Question 14

Define long-term memory

Answer 14

Can be lifelong. Associated with structural changes in synaptic connections

Question 15

Describe the concept behind reverberating circuits?

Answer 15

Each synapse in a reverb. circuit is excitatory and hence a brief excitatory stimulus at A will cause a long lasting neuronal activity in B

Question 16

Describe anterograde amnesia

Answer 16

Inability to recall events which occur after the injury. Can be short lived or permenant

Question 17

Describe retrograde amnesia

Answer 17

Cannot remember events leading up to the injury although memories formed long time ago are usually unaffected

Question 18

if only the thalamus is damaged and the hippocampus is spared, what occurs?

Answer 18

Retrograde amnesia

Question 19

How is intermediate long term memory produced?

Answer 19

Chemical changes in presynaptic neurons by increasing Ca2+ entry into presynaptic terminals which increases neurotransmitter release

Question 20

Describe the mechanism behind long term memory

Answer 20

Structural changes at synapses occur via either an increase in NT release sites/ NT vesicles stored and released/ number of presynaptic terminals which occurs at same time as LTP

Question 21

Describe LTP

Answer 21

An increased amplitude of EPSP occurs in post synaptic cell. Results in well rehearsed pattern of neuronal firing unique to a particular memory

Question 22

Name the two types of long term memory

Answer 22

Explicit/Declarative memory and Reflexive/Implicit memory

Question 23

What is declarative memory?

Answer 23

Abstract memory for events and for words, rules and language. Relies on hippocampus

Question 24

What is reflexive memory?

Answer 24

Acquired through repetition. Includes motor memory for acquired skills. Based in cerebellum and is independent of hippocampus

Question 25

How is short term memory converted into long term memory?

Answer 25

Consolidation