How is learning defined?
The process of acquiring new and enduring information, behavior patterns, or abilities.
How is memory defined?
The ability to encode, consolidate, and retrieve information.
EECR
Why do researchers study invertebrates?
They have very few neurons and there are very few differences between each individual.
What is habituation?
A weakened response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.
What is the cellular mechanism of habituation in Aplysia?
The gill withdrawal response.
What is the meaning behind Hebbian synapses?
Pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons activating together become stronger.
What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?
A stable and enduring increase in the effectiveness of synapses following repeated strong stimulation.
The more synapses fire, the stronger they get
How is the AMPA receptor involved in an EPSP?
Allows sodium to enter the cell and depolarizes cell.
How is the NMDA receptor involved in an EPSP?
Blocks magnesium and block is removed when cell is depolarized.
What receptor is critical for LTP?
NMDA
How do we know which receptor is critical for LTP?
NMDA activation is needed for calcium to get in the cell, and calcium is important for LTP.
What is the change in AMPA receptors following LTP?
Mobilized latent AMPA receptors and more AMPA receptors emerge.
What is the change in AMPA receptors following glutamate release?
Strengthens communication between pre and post-synaptic cells, and it’s easier to activate receptors.
How do those changes relate to the post-synaptic response in LTP?
Strengthens the presynaptic synapses in LTP.
What are the Hebbian structural changes following learning?
Strengthening of synapses that successfully fire and loss of synapses that don’t.
What is the Morris Water Maze?
Behavioral test used on mice and rats to study spatial learning and memory.
How do NMDA antagonists influence water maze performance?
They block LTP and spatial learning.
What does performance in the water maze tell researchers about LTP?
NMDA activity is needed for spatial learning.
