WK1: Mind and brain : Neurons Flashcards
What is the role of neurons?
They transmit information throughout the body using chemical and electrical signals
How do neurons transmit information to muscles, glands or other neurons?
Neurons use Axons to transmit information
What is the microscopic gap between the endings of fibers from different neurons called?
The miniscule gaps are known as synapses
What is the role of dendrites in a neuron?
Dendrites receive information and transmit it to neuron cells
How does communication between neurons take place
Communication occurs via synaptic transmission
What is the term for the dynamic change in synaptic connections?
The dynamic change is known as synaptic plasticity
How does learning occur using neurons
Neurogenesis -> synaptic plasticity -> pruning
Why are individuals oversupplied with neurons and synapses as young children?
Young children are oversupplied as neurons will adapt to their environment
What happens to unused neurons in the brain?
Unused neurons will be pruned, and only used neurons will survive
Why is pruning necessary for cognitive development?
Pruning is essential for cognitive development as it allows the removal of unnecessary synapses, refining neutral connections
What are the two kinds of pruning and how do they differ?
Experience-expectant and Experience-dependant. Experience-expectant involves waiting for stimulation during specific developmental periods, while experience-dependent is formed based on what the individual experiences.
How does a stimulating environment impact the pruning process in early life and synapse development in adulthood?
A stimulating environment may aid in the pruning process during the experience-expectant period in early life and support increased synapse development in adulthood during the experience-dependent period.
