NEURAL PLASTICITY / ENVIRONMENT / LTP / CONSOLIDATION / LTD / STAR

Question 1

DEFINITION: NEURAL PLASTICITY

- REFER TO APLYSIA

Answer 1

• Also known as BRAIN plasticity and NEUROplasticity
• The ability of the brain to MODIFY its connections with other brain areas
• In order to meet the DEMANDS of experiences
• 2 x CHANGES: Functional and Structural changes

Question 2

FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES

Answer 2

FUNCTIONAL CHANGES
- When there is an increase amount of neurotransmitter released
- Heightened and increased sensitivity of the post-synaptic dendrites
STRUCTURAL CHNAGES
- Physical/Biological changes
- When new axon terminal GROW on the pre-synaptic neuron and MORE dendrites GROW on the post-synaptic neuron.
- Creates a STRONGER communication (More synapses and more neurotransmitters)

Question 3

DEFINITION: ADAPTIVE PLASTICITY

Answer 3

• The brain’s ability to create new connections due to BRAIN DAMAGE (Plasticity throughout the a person’s lifespan)
• REORGANISING its structure
• In response to the ENVIRONMENT

Question 4

2 X ENVIRONMENT

Answer 4

ENRICHED ENVIRONMENT
- An environment that offers many OPPORTUNITIES for activity with lots of SENSORY and INTELLECTUAL stimulation
DEPRIVED ENVIRONMENT
- When there are a lack of conditions/opportunities to stimulate INTELLECT and BEHAVIOURAL growth.

Question 5

DEFINITION: LTP

- Synapse between two neurons = STRENGTHENED

Answer 5

LONG TERM POTENTIATION

• EXPERIENCE dependent
• The increased tendency for a group of neurons to fire together after they have been ELECTRICALLY STIMULATED repeatedly

OCCURS

• INCREASE relevant neurotransmitter (released)
• INCREASE receptor sites
• INCREASE changes to structures (STRUCTURAL changes)

Question 6

DEFINITION: CONSOLIDATION (LTP)

CONSOLIDATION THEORY

Answer 6

CONSOLIDATION (LTP)
- The memory process
- Materializes when a RELATIVELY permanent physical change occurs in the brain
CONSOLIDATION THEORY
- States that memory consolidation takes approximately 30 minutes
- Occurs in the hippocampus
- There needs to be NO interruptions
- If Interruption occurs: CONSOLIDATION FAILURE (Memory will be lost)

Question 7

DEFINITION: LTD

Answer 7

LONG TERM DEPRESSION

• The process of weakening a synapse
• It is an adaptive function that weakens NEURAL PATHWAYS.
• When the ELECTRICAL stimulation is reduced.

Question 8

PROCESS: MEMORY FORMATION

• M
• N
• B

Answer 8

MEMORY
- Initially taking in INFORMATION from our senses (both INTERNAL and EXTERNAL)

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• NS converts the information into electrochemical energy
• Transmits the signal to the BRAIN

BRAIN
- The brain Processes, Interprets and Stores the information for FUTURE use (Learning has occurred)

Question 9

LEARNING IN ACTION: MIRROR TRACING TASK

http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/classroom-activities-mirror-tracing-activity

Answer 9

• Implicit procedural memory (Cerebellum)
• A visual and motor test
• INVOLVES learning a new skill
• Act of drawing = a learnt skill (Procedural memory)
• Requires Visual and Proprioceptive