Neural Basis of Learning

Question 1

Reflex action -

Answer 1

simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus.

Question 2

Fixed action pattern -

Answer 2

An instinctive, inborn predisposition to behave in a certain way.

Question 3

Maturation -

Answer 3

the orderly, sequential changes the body is genetically predetermined to undertake.

Question 4

As we learn, Neurotransmitters are

Answer 4

and our brain modifies its neural pathways and neural connections within and between pathways.

Question 5

Synapse

Answer 5

where neurotransmission occurs. Axon terminal of presynaptic neurons and dendrites of postsynaptic neuron intersect.

Question 6

Neurotransmitters float

Answer 6

across the gap and are collected in the receptor sites of the dendrites of the post-synaptic neutron.

Question 7

Roles of the synapse:

Answer 7

Learning - nvolves the establishment and strengthening of neural connections at the synapse or new synapses forming. (synaptogenesis)
Glutamate - a neurotransmitter repeatedly sent across the synaptic gap, the presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron are repeatedly activated at the same time.
Synaptic connection strengthened - this makes them more likely to fire together again.

Question 8

Synapse change:

Answer 8

Increase in amount of neurotransmitters (glutamate) released by neurons.
Growth of new dendritic spines.
New axon terminal sprouts (filigree appendages).
Formation of new or strengthening of existing synaptic connections.

Question 9

Amygdala involvement in learning:

Answer 9

Learning emotions (fear response) 
Classical conditioning

Question 10

Hippocampus involvement in learning:

Answer 10

Spatial Learning

Question 11

Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA involvement in learning:

Answer 11

Learning through reward

Operant Conditioning

Question 12

Cerebral cortex and cerebellum involvement in learning:

Answer 12

Learning movement sequences

Observational learning

Question 13

Developmental plasticity –

Answer 13

the ability of synapses to be modified as an infant or child.

Question 14

Developmental Plasticity stages -

Answer 14

Proliferation - foetal neurons divide and multiply
Migration - Neurons move to their final location in the CNS
Circuit Formation - axons of the new neurons move outwards
Circuit pruning - Occurs in childhood during adolescence. More neurone created, extra neurons removed.
Myelination - Myelin sheathing grows around the axons of many neurons, insulating them and making neural transmission efficient.

Question 15

Adaptive plasticity refers to

Answer 15

the brain’s ability to compensate for lost functionality (usually due to brain damage) and in response to environmental interactions, by re-organising its structure.

Question 16

A sensitive period is a period in

Answer 16

development when an organism is more responsive to certain environmental stimuli or experiences and particularly suited to learning new things.

Question 17

Experience expectant learning

Answer 17

takes place when the brain encounters the experience that is expected (ideally sensitive period). E.g. Visual cortex expects exposure to light.

Question 18

Experience dependent learning

Answer 18

‘depends’ on exposure to specific ‘experience’ at any time during an individual’s development. E.g. learning to write.

Question 19

Critical period is a

Answer 19

very narrow period of time in an animal’s development when it must have a particular experience in order for something very specific to be learned

Question 20

In terms of brain plasticity, why might a child typically recover more quickly from a brain injury than an adult with a similar brain injury?

Answer 20

A child’s brain is in the process of developmental plasticity and re-routing is readily achieved. An adult can only recover through adaptive plasticity, which limits the progress of recovery.

Question 21

What is glutamate and what is its role in learning?

Answer 21

Glutamate is the key neurotransmitter involved in learning. Neural impulses trigger the release of glutamate from the presynaptic neuron, it then acts on the receptors in the post-synaptic neuron that produce long lasting modification to the synapse.

Question 22

What role does the axon of a neuron play in learning?

Answer 22

The axon transmits the electrical impulse away from the cell body to the axon terminals, where neurotransmitters are released via the terminal buttons into the synapse. This can lead to synaptogenesis, an integral part of learning.