Topic 10 Final Exam Flashcards
1
Q
- How is cortical somatotopy (representations of body regions) affected by skills we learn?
A
2
Q
- How might the Somatotopic arrangement of the motor cortex differ for a soccer player compared to a piano player?
A
The part of their brain wants to bend the knee to kick a ball is more developed than a piano player
3
Q
- What is cortical plasticity?
A
Structural and functional reorganization of the cortical representation
following injury or due to training
Examples:
- Injury – stroke, spinal cord injury; loss of body part
- Training – specific training for recovery of function/movement of a body part
4
Q
- Describe the one of the two mechanisms of plasticity we discussed.
A
- Form new connections between neurons
* Increased axon collaterals that connect to other
somas (cell body of neuron)
* Critical periods
“neurons that fire together wire together”
5
Q
Describe the two of the two mechanisms of plasticity we discussed.
A
- Strengthen connections between neurons
* Dendritic spines
* Synaptic boutons
“neurons that fire together wire together”
6
Q
- How might loss of sensory information result in cortical reorganization? Include one of the research studies presented to support your answer.
A
The area where you loss of sensory will pick up your loss
From a similiar area
Rat study – transect nerve that provides input from whiskers
and observe how sensory representation changes in cortex
7
Q
- How might specific training result in cortical reorganization? Include one of the research studies presented to support your answer.
A
The training will slowly change over time to adapt to what you are trying to do
Squirrel monkey and dexterity training (picking things up with fingers)
