Module 10: Learning and Memory

Question 1

Learning

Answer 1

Process by which experiences with the environment, senses, or behaviors cause physical changes in the nervous system which then causes changes in behavior

Question 2

Memory

Answer 2

Changes in the nervous system that occur through learning that can be expressed or acted on

Question 3

Acquisition Stage of Memory

Answer 3

Stimuli are encountered, info is entering the nervous system

Question 4

Encoding Stage of Memory

Answer 4

Changes in the nervous system that enables us to hold onto new info for a short period of time

Question 5

Retrieval Stage of Memory

Answer 5

Info can be recalled from long term memory storage

Question 6

Sensory Memory

Answer 6

Incoming sensory info enters the sensory buffers, the only info that makes it to the working/short term memory is the stimuli being focused on

Question 7

Sensory Buffers

Answer 7

Iconic memory, echoic memory, olfactory memory, haptic memory

Question 8

Iconic Memory

Answer 8

Buffer for visual info, perfect image that lasts less than one second

Question 9

Echoic Memory

Answer 9

Buffer for auditory info, can retain info for 3-4 seconds even if the person was not actively focusing on the sound

Question 10

Olfactory Memory

Answer 10

Buffer for info regarding smells, lasts a few seconds

Question 11

Haptic Memory

Answer 11

Buffer for tactile info, allows a person to feel pressure or a tactile sensation for a few seconds after contact

Question 12

Encoding Process

Answer 12

Info that passes through sensory buffers, info either goes straight into long term or enters the working memory to then enter the long term memory

Question 13

Short Term Memory

Answer 13

Memory that holds info that is being actively thought about, once focus is lost so is the info

Question 14

Long Term Memory

Answer 14

Almost infinite, consolidated memories are stored here, length of memory recollection is based on the strength of bonds between neurons, two main branches: explicit and implicit

Question 15

Explicit Memory

Answer 15

Long term memory, info that can be explained or talked about, stored in the medial temporal lobe

Question 16

Episodic Memory

Answer 16

Explicit memory, contains episodes of info, experiences, moments, memories that are comprised of multiple stimuli that formed an event

Question 17

Semantic Memory

Answer 17

Explicit memory, contains info that are not related to events, names, dates, definitions, facts

Question 18

Implicit Memory

Answer 18

Long term memory, includes info of things that cant be explained, tasks, functions, muscle memory, balance

Question 19

Procedural Memory

Answer 19

Implicit memory, how to complete tasks, procedures, contained in the striatum in the basal ganglia

Question 20

Associative Conditioning

Answer 20

Implicit memory, types of memories are stored in corresponding brain areas, amygdala stores emotional memories and the cerebellum stores memories involving bodily reactions

Question 21

Priming

Answer 21

Implicit memory, ability to retrieve a memory with a small piece of the information, contained in the sensory cortex

Question 22

Non-associative

Answer 22

Implicit memory, changes occur in the reflex pathway in the motor cortex and spinal cord, includes habituation and sensitization

Question 23

Habituation

Answer 23

The brains ability to stop responding to repeated stimuli

Question 24

Sensitization

Answer 24

The brains ability to have a heightened response to a repeated stimuli

Question 25

Case of H.M.

Answer 25

Had a bilateral medial temporal lobectomy procedure to alleviate extreme and frequent seizures, H.M. had his rhinal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus removed causing some retrograde amnesia, sever anterograde amnesia, and could no longer form explicit memories

Question 26

Hippocampus

Answer 26

Critical area for forming explicit memories and general memory consolidation, main area where LTP occurs

Question 27

Long Term Potentiation

Answer 27

Synapses are made stronger by repeated stimulation, involves rhinal cortex and hippocampus, signal loop from rhinal cortex, dentate gyrus, CA3, CA1, and back to the rhinal cortex

Question 28

Standard Consolidation Theory

Answer 28

Squire and Alvarez, 1995, hippocampus temporarily holds info, held memories are sent to the cerebral cortex, hippocampus is the staring point for consolidation, amygdala is involved

Question 29

Multiple Trace Theory

Answer 29

Nadal and Moxovitch, 1997, hippocampus and other structures involved in memory storage, multiple traces of activity in different areas during consolidation, engrams are stable connection between neurons, a network of engrams is formed

Question 30

Donald Hebb

Answer 30

Theorized LTP, neurons firing in rapid succession strengthens a pathway, for a memory to be formed postsynaptic firing needs to closely follow presynaptic firing

Question 31

Induction of LTP

Answer 31

Degree of synaptic strengthening depends on the near simultaneous depolarization of the CA3 field and the CA1 field, during firing glutamate is released and then opens channels by binding receptors, causing an influx in Na+ which causes depolarization across the neuron

Question 32

AMPA Receptors

Answer 32

Accepts glutamate, allows influx of Na+, the more AMPA receptors on a neuron the stronger it is, they are not permanent but can become nearly permanent with enough reactivation

Question 33

NMDA Receptors

Answer 33

When binded by glutamate channels are opened for Na+ and Ca2+, Ca2+ causes specific changes within the neuron

Question 34

Nitric Oxide

Answer 34

When a large enough influx of Ca2+ occurs nitric oxide forms in the dendrites, nitric oxide is then released into the synapse and is absorbed by the terminals, the terminals then trigger the release of more glutamate

Question 35

Memory Storage

Answer 35

Hippocampus - spatial locations, explicit memories Rhinal Cortex - object recognition, semantic memory Inferotemporal Cortex - Iconic memories Prefrontal Cortex - Working memory and temporal relation of memories