ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
plastic - ANSWER-capable of being molded
neuron - ANSWER-main communicating cells of the CNS
threshold - ANSWER-the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Neuroplasticity - ANSWER-multiple processes and multiple opportunities for neurone to
change their behaviour
3 ways neuroplasticity occurs - ANSWER-1. change the properties of neurotransmission
- change in transmitter release
- change in PSP size or shape
2. change in cell properties
- size and shape
- electrical properties (resistance)
- "leakiness" of membrane
3. structural/anatomical changes of cell
unmasking - ANSWER-the exposure of silent synapses
terminal degeneration - ANSWER-synaptic terminals (end of axons) don't receive the
energy it needs so it begins to degenerate
Wallerian degeneration - ANSWER-axon distal to injury degenerates
myelin debris - ANSWER-myelin degrades
Macrophage infiltration - ANSWER-clean up dead tissue
Chromatolysis - ANSWER-production of Nissl bodies which gather and clump together
to try and repair the axon
retraction of synaptic terminals - ANSWER-presynaptic button receives a signal that the
axon is not functional and begins to retract
unmasking steps - ANSWER-1. cell responds to dominant input
2. injury or disease occurs
3. non-dominant input is expressed
, dendritic pruning - ANSWER-removal of connections that are no longer needed or
incorrect
dendritic pruning steps - ANSWER-1. loss of input to the neuron
2. dendrites retract
collateral sprouting - ANSWER-the process by which axons of some healthy neurons
adjacent to damaged cells grow new branches
collateral sprouting steps - ANSWER-1. no input to neuron
2. dendrites start to retract
3. healthy nerve in the area sends out new inputs
4. form new connections on the dendrites
activity dependent - ANSWER-a property of neural plasticity such that changes in a
neuron's functioning will occur only if that neuron is active (firing) at the same time as
another neuron
neurogenesis - ANSWER-the development of new neurons
neurogenesis locations - ANSWER-1. sub ventricular zone (olfactory bulb)
2. dente gyrus of hippocampus
fetal cells - ANSWER-basic cells that can be turned into any other cella
activity dependent steps - ANSWER-1. neural activity (the firing of APs in neurons
2. release of NT at synapses
3. cell has to be active to take up the signal
4. produce collateral sprouts in neurone that are active
neurotrophins - ANSWER-used to stabilize the position of the synapse
axonal guidance - ANSWER-the process by which immature neurons migrate out and
axons grow out towards their target
growth cone - ANSWER-growing tip of an axon with filopodia that grow out in many
different directions
growth cone steps - ANSWER-1. target cell releases a signal that promotes or inhibits
growth
2. growth cone responds to signal
3. filopodia extend out trying to reach signal
4. filopodia grows towards target
guide cells - ANSWER-cells within a growing embryo that produce a chemical signal for
growth that bridge gaps to our target