Urgent SACp Flashcards
What is the diagram A representing (LTP).
Diagram A is representing long term potentiation which occurs when there is a long term strengthening of synaptic connections in a neural pathway that is repeatedly stimulated.
Glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter) is being released from the pre-synaptic neuron. and binds with the complementary shaped recprtoes on the Post synaptic neuron.This causes a neural impulse to fire (indicated by green arrows) and it will be more likely to fire the next time this pathway is stimulated.As in the saying ‘neurons that fire together wire together’
What is diagram B representing?(LTD)
Diagram b is representing a complementary process to LTP called LTD.LTD is a long term weakening of the synaptic connections in a neural pathway that is no longer stimulated.Less glutamate receptors are available for the neurotransmitter to bind with so there is less likelihood that the neural impulse or action potential will be transfered to the next neuron.There is less likelihood that the neural transmission will occur in future.
order effect
half perform condition A before condition B and half perform condition B before Condition A
Independent groups
partnicapnt are (randomly) allocated to conditions of the experiment.
Matched participants
Participants are mathced one or more charachterstics and (randomly) allocated to conditions of the experiment.
Repeated measures
Same participants are all used in all conditons of the experiment.
Counterbalancing is needed to solve problem of order effect(ABBA)
sperlin iv and dv
Independent variable: sensory images (symbols) flashed on screen using tachistoscope
• Dependent variable: recall of symbols
Sperling test
Sperling used an array of twelve letters in three rows, flashed for 1/20 second with the tachistoschope to participants to test the duration of iconic memory and found that the participants could only remember four or five of the letters. He then reduced the number of lines to be reported down to one, and the line to be reported was given a tone; high for the top row, medium for the middle, and a low tone for the bottom.
Sperling concluded that his subjects saw a memory of the letters for a quarter of a second ,suggesting that iconic memory has a duration of approximately 1/20 second. and were able to read from this image once they heard the various sounds.
Why are LTP and LTD both important in the process of memory formation?
Long term potentiation is important in process of memory information as it is crucial for the formation of a memory and makes us less likely to forget information.
Long term depression (is a complementary process and is also useful in the process of memory information as it helps to ‘de-clutter’ our brain and makes memory formation for other memories more efficient and can also help to remove/block information that is unwanted or inappropriate.
Clearly explain the role of the hippocampus in the process of memory formation and storage. In your explanation include the key neurotransmitter involved
The hippocampus is essential for the formation of new explicit (declarative) memories. It is also involved in establishing the background or context for each new memory. The process of consolidation of declarative memory takes place in the hippocampus. The hippocampus then transfers explicit memory information to other relevant parts of the cortex for permanent storage as long – term memory. The key neurotransmitter involved in this process is glutamate.
Clearly explain the role of the amygdala in the process of memory formation and storage. In your explanation include the neurohormone that activates this brain region.
The amygdala’s primary role in memory is it attached emotional significance to explicit memories (especially fear). The permanence of these memories suggests that interactions between the amygdala and hippocampus are crucial in determining the ‘stability’ of a memory – that is, how effectively it is retained over time.
Adrenalin (neurohormone) can enhance the consolidation of long term memory of emotionally arousing experience. Emotions that produce adrenalin strengthen this memory which are often vital to survival. Adrenalin causes the release of noradrenalin in the amygdala which works with the hippocampus to process and consolidate strong emotional memories.
