Module 3 - 2: Memory

Question 1

Evolution required what types of memory to be strong?

Answer 1

1. Visual
2. Spatial

aka How things look and Where they are

Question 2

How do you take advantage of a strong visual system for non-visual imformation?

Answer 2

Create a visual image representing one key idea.

For instance for F=ma
a Flying Mule (ass)

Question 3

How do visual images help memory?

Answer 3

Connects humdrum and hard to remember concepts to the power visual areas with enhanced memory abilities.

Question 4

What does evoking more senses than just visual do?

Answer 4

Creates more neural hooks for memory.

Question 5

To move an idea from working to long to term memory, the two key principles are:

Answer 5

1. Idea should be memorable

2. Spaced repetition

Question 6

What can help with repetition?

Answer 6

• Index cards
• Handwritten
• Repeated out loud
• Practicing over days, with increasing spacing

Question 7

Explain the case of patient HM. (3 items)

Answer 7

• Had hippocampus removed from both sides of brain
• Profoundly amnesiac
• Could have a normal conversation but would forget you and the conversation if you left the remove for a few minutes.

Question 8

How well did HM remember things that happened at different time periods?

Answer 8

• Could remember childhood
• Difficulty remembering years leading up to surgery
• No ability to store new events or facts in long-term memory

Question 9

Name two surprising things about long-term memory storage illustrated by HM.

Answer 9

• It takes years to solidify memories of events. (Had trouble remembering recent years before surgery)
• There are different memory systems for different types of learning (he could learn new motor skills)

Question 10

Where does the word “hippocampus” come from?

Answer 10

• Shape of a seahorse
• Greek: hippos = horse
• Greek: kamps = sea monster

Question 11

How is the hippocampus involved in memory?

Answer 11

Stores new memories in the cortex - memory consolidation.

Question 12

What happens when you recall a memory?

Answer 12

• It changes in a process called reconsolidation

- The new context a memory is recalled in can change the old memory itself during reconsolidation

Question 13

How does consolidation store a long term memory?

Answer 13

Takes the brain state in active memory and stores it by

modifying synapses on the dendrites of neurons

Question 14

What are two times when reconsolidation occurs?

Answer 14

• After memory recall, when the dormant memory is brought in to working memory
• During sleep

Question 15

What are astrocytes?

Answer 15

Most abundant glial cells in the brain.

Question 16

What are the functions of astrocytes?

Answer 16

1. Provide nutrients to neurons
2. Maintain extracellular ion balance
3. Involved with repair following injury

Question 17

Describe an astrocyte physically.

Answer 17

• Has intricate arms that wrap around the neurons

- Embraces thousands of synapses

Question 18

What are two facts that indicate that astrocytes may have a role in learning?

Answer 18

1. Human astrocytes put into mouse brains helped mice learn faster.
2. The only way Einstein’s brain was different from average was it had many more astrocytes.

Question 19

Aside from creating a visual image, name three other memory techniques/tricks.

Answer 19

1. Grouping (4 plants to kill vampires, Garlic, Rose, Hawthorn, Mustard - imagine a Graham cracker)
2. Memorable sentences
3. Memory palaces

Question 20

Number can be remembered by associating them with:

Answer 20

• Memorable events
• The year someone close to you was born
• A numberical system you’re familiar with (e.g. 11.0 is a good time for the 100 m dash)
• The feeling you were or will be at an age