neuroplasticity Flashcards

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1
Q

what is neuroplasticity?

A

neuroplasticity is the brains ability to change shape and grow grey matter in accordance to its enviromental demands and practices

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2
Q

how does neuroplasticity work?

A

the changes in shape and grey matter occur through the making and breaking of synaptic connections between neurons

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3
Q

what are the 3 parts of a neuron?

A

the body
the dendrites
the axon

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4
Q

what are the dendrites responsible for?

A

to receive signals from other neurons

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5
Q

what is the function of the axon?

A

to transmit the signals further

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6
Q

what is the structure that connects to neurons called?

A

a synapse

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7
Q

what is grey matter?

A

grey matter consists of neural cell bodies, their dendrites and all the synapses and it is the areas where the actual “processing” is done in the brain

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8
Q

what is white matter?

A

the white matter is composed of bundle of axons and no processing or transmission happens here

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9
Q

what is synaptic/neural pruning?

A

the brains ability to remove synapses no longer used or under stimulated to leave more space for the remaining ones or new ones

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10
Q

what is long-term potentiation (LTP)

A

the repeated stimulation of neurons due to the environment

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11
Q

what are 2 studies that support neuroplasticity?

A

Draganski et al (2004)
Maguire et al (2000)

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12
Q

between the two studies which support neuroplasticity which one focuses more on neural/synaptic pruning?

A

Draganski et al (2004)

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13
Q

what is the aim of Maguire?

A

to investigate changes in the brain of London taxi drivers as a result of enviromental stimulation

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14
Q

what were the results of Maguire?

A

posterior hippocampi of taxi drivers was larger that control
anterior hippocampi of taxi drivers was smaller than control

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15
Q

what are 2 strengths of Maguire?

A

ethically sound
eliminating demand characteristics

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16
Q

what are 2 limitations of Maguire?

A

gender bias (although it does represent the actual population)
quasi-no cause and effect relationship

17
Q

what is the aim of Draganski?

A

to investigate if learning a new skill (juggling) would have an effect on the brain

18
Q

what are three strengths of Draganski?

A

MRI-reliable
some cause and effect
comparison/ control group

19
Q

what are three limitations of Draganski?

A

gender bias
extraneous variables
small sample size

20
Q
A