Learning & Memory

Question 1

Definition: The process by which new information is acquired.

Answer 1

Learning

Question 2

Definition: The retention of learned information.

Answer 2

Memory

Question 3

Q: What are the two main categories of Long-Term Memory?

Answer 3

Declarative (Explicit) and Non-declarative (Implicit)

Question 4

Q: Facts and events fall under which memory category?

Answer 4

Declarative (Explicit)

Question 5

Q: Skills, habits, and conditioning fall under which memory category?

Answer 5

Non-declarative (Implicit)

Question 6

Q: Which brain region is critical for Declarative memory consolidation?

Answer 6

Medial Temporal Lobe (Hippocampus)

Question 7

Q: Which brain region is critical for Procedural memory (skills/habits)?

Answer 7

Striatum

Question 8

Q: Which brain region is critical for Classical Conditioning (skeletal musculature)?

Answer 8

Cerebellum

Question 9

Q: Which brain region is critical for Emotional memory (fear conditioning)?

Answer 9

Amygdala

Question 10

Q: Amnesia characterized by the inability to form new memories?

Answer 10

Anterograde Amnesia

Question 11

Q: Amnesia characterized by memory loss of events prior to trauma?

Answer 11

Retrograde Amnesia

Question 12

Q: The Hebbian postulate regarding synaptic plasticity is often summarized as:

Answer 12

“Cells that fire together, wire together”

Question 13

Q: Definition: A stable, long-lasting increase in the effectiveness of a synapse?

Answer 13

LTP

Question 14

Q: What does LTP stand for?

Answer 14

Long-Term Potentiation

Question 15

Q: What is the name of the high-frequency stimulation used to induce LTP experimentally?

Answer 15

Tetanus

Question 16

LTP Feature: Only the synapse that is active becomes strengthened.

Answer 16

Input Specificity

Question 17

LTP Feature: Co-activation of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons is required.

Answer 17

Cooperativity

Question 18

Q: LTP Feature: A weak input can be strengthened if paired with a strong input.

Answer 18

Associativity

Question 19

Q: Which receptor acts as a “coincidence detector” in LTP?

Answer 19

NMDA Receptor

Question 20

Q: What ion blocks the NMDA receptor channel at resting potential?

Answer 20

Magnesium (Mg2+)

Question 21

Q: What two events are required to open the NMDA receptor?

Answer 21

1. Glutamate binding
2. Postsynaptic depolarization

Question 22

Q: Why is postsynaptic depolarization necessary for the NMDA receptor?

Answer 22

To expel the Magnesium block

Question 23

Q: Which ion enters through the NMDA receptor to trigger synaptic plasticity?

Answer 23

Calcium (Ca2+)

Question 24

Q: Which glutamate receptor mediates normal synaptic transmission (sodium influx)?

Answer 24

AMPA Receptor

Question 25

Q: An increase in the number of which receptors leads to LTP expression?

Answer 25

AMPA Receptors

Question 26

Q: A rise in postsynaptic Ca2+ activates which two major kinases?

Answer 26

PKC and CaMKII

Question 27

Q: What activates CaMKII?

Answer 27

Calcium-Calmodulin complex

Question 28

Q: How does CaMKII maintain activity after calcium levels drop?

Answer 28

Autophosphorylation

Question 29

Q: Because it stays active without calcium, CaMKII is often called:

Answer 29

A Molecular Memory Switch

Question 30

Q: What creates a "Silent Synapse"?

Answer 30

Presence of NMDA receptors but NO AMPA receptors

Question 31

Q: How does a "Silent Synapse" become active?

Answer 31

AMPA receptors are inserted into the membrane (via LTP)

Question 32

Q: What does LTD stand for?

Answer 32

Long-Term Depression

Question 33

Q: Definition: A long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength?

Answer 33

LTD

Question 34

Q: What type of stimulation induces LTD?

Answer 34

Low-frequency stimulation (e.g., 1 Hz)

Question 35

Q: Does LTD require NMDA receptor activation?

Answer 35

Yes (calcium influx is still required, just at lower levels)

Question 36

Q: In LTD, what happens to AMPA receptors?

Answer 36

They are internalized (removed from the membrane)

Question 37

Q: Compare Ca2+ levels: High levels trigger _____; Low levels trigger _____.

Answer 37

High = LTP (Kinases) Low = LTD (Phosphatases)

Question 38

Q: What enzymes are activated by low levels of calcium to cause LTD?

Answer 38

Protein Phosphatases

Question 39

Q: Late-phase LTP involves the growth of what structure?

Answer 39

Dendritic Spines

Question 40

Q: What retrograde messenger signals the presynaptic neuron during LTP?

Answer 40

Nitric Oxide (NO)

Question 41

Q: Late-phase LTP requires the synthesis of what?

Answer 41

New Proteins

Question 42

Q: What is the presynaptic effect of Nitric Oxide during LTP?

Answer 42

Increased neurotransmitter release probability

Question 43

Q: Which transcription factor is critical for long-term memory consolidation?

Answer 43

CREB