habituation

Question 1

what is habituation

Answer 1

the process in humans and animals in which there is a decrease in psychological response and behavioural response to the same stimulus after repeated exposure over a duration of time, however the stimulation must be unimportant to the animal

Question 2

how is memory creation

Answer 2

• caused by a change in the pattern of synaptic connections
• change in the strength of synaptic connections - more neurotransmitter released

Question 3

how does habituation come about

Answer 3

1. with repeated stimulus Ca2+ channels become less responsive so less Ca2+ enter the pre-synaptic neurone
2. less neurotransmitter is released from vesicles by exocytosis into the synaptic cleft from the pre-synaptic bulb
3. less neurotransmitter binds to receptors on post-synaptic membrane
4. fewer Na+ channels open on the post synaptic membrane so there is less depolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane
5. threshold potential is not reached so no action potential is initiated