Neuroplasticity

Question 1

Brain/neuro plasticity

Answer 1

The brain’s ability to rearrange the connections between its neurons - changes in the brain’s structure due to learning or experience (high levels of stimulation)

Question 2

Memory trace

Answer 2

A long-term change in the brain that represents something (such as an experience) stored as a memory

Question 2

Dendritic branching

Answer 2

When something new is learnt, neurons connect to create a new trace in the brain
* dendrites of neurons grow in numbers and connect with other neurons

Question 3

Long-term potentiation

Answer 3

Synapses become stronger through repeated use - repeated firing of neurons lead to stronger connections

Question 4

Synaptic pruning

Answer 4

When a synapse is not used or is under stimulated it is removed - allowing for more space for new traces and higher efficiency across existing ones

Question 5

Grey matter

Answer 5

Makes up about half of the brain, and major component of CNS, consists primarily of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated (thinner) axons
* contain high concentration of neural connections -› high grey matter = fast processing and greater capacity