Week 7: What is the Biological basis for learning?

Question 1

What is the Nervous System?

Answer 1

The Nervous System is made up of a variety of different cells.

Question 2

What is a Neuron Cell?

Answer 2

One type of cell in the Nervous System is the ‘neuron cell’.

Neurons send messages from one part of the nervous system to another.

Question 3

What is a Synapse?

Answer 3

The Synapse is the site of transmission of electric nerve impulses between two nerve cells (neurons) or between a neuron and a gland or muscles cell (effector).

Question 4

What is the role of the Synapse?

Answer 4

The role of the synapse involves neurotransmitters being released from the pre-synaptic neuron and bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron.

Question 5

What is a Pre-synaptic Neuron?

Answer 5

It is the cell that is sending the message.

Question 6

What is a Post-synaptic Neuron?

Answer 6

It is the cell that is receiving the message.

Question 7

What is Action Potential?

Answer 7

Action potential is when a neuron has sent its message. That pulse of electricity has travelled along with it, it will release neurotransmitters to send that message on to the next neuron.

Question 8

What is an Ion?

Answer 8

An ion is a molecule with either a positive or negative charge.

Question 9

What is a Neuron Membrane?

Answer 9

A Neuron Membrane has gated channels (like small holes) in the edge.

Question 10

What is the role of the Neuron Membrane?

Answer 10

Specific ions pass through specific channels.

Gates to the channel; can be open or closed.

Question 11

What is a Ligand-gated ion channel?

Answer 11

Ligand-gated ion channels are a large group of essential transmembrane proteins that allow passage of ions upon activation by a specific chemical.

Question 12

What is a Voltage-gated ion channel?

Answer 12

Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play important roles in the electrical signalling of cells.

Question 13

What is Resting Potential?

Answer 13

When a neuron is not doing anything, it is said to be resting.

Question 14

How many millivolts is a Resting Potential?

Answer 14

The resting potential of a neuron is approximately -70millivolots (mv)

Question 15

What happens when a neuron is at rest?

Answer 15

o Greater concentration of Sodium (Na+) outside than inside.

o Greater concentration of Chloride (Cl-) outside than inside.

o Greater concentration of Potassium (K+) inside than outside.

Question 16

How do Excitation and Inhibition cause an effect?

Answer 16

When a neurotransmitter binds to the post-synaptic neuron it can have an excitatory or inhibitory effect.

Question 17

What happens when we think about a memory?

Answer 17

• The more we think about a particular memory or moment (deep processing) the better we remember it.

Question 18

What is Long-term Potentiation?

Answer 18

Long-term Potentiation is the name given to changes that occur in the synapse when we learn.

Question 19

What does Long-term Potentiation involve?

Answer 19

o Glutamate

o Magnesium ions

Question 20

Where is Glutamate found?

Answer 20

Glutamate binds to receptors called AMPA and NMDA.

These receptors are found on ion channels.

Question 21

Where are Magnesium ions found?

Answer 21

Magnesium ions are found in the cerebral-spinal fluid that surrounds our brain and spinal cord.