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Physical modifications important for consolidating memory are particularly apparent in the hippocampus, especially a pathway called the Schaffer Collateral, which contains CA1 (cornu Ammonis) neurons that have been implicated in learning and memory. To study learning and memory in live mice, scientists use a stimulating electrode to generate brief electrical pulses on the dendrites of CA1 neurons in the Schaffer Collateral pathway and use a recording electrode to measure the excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the CA1 postsynaptic neurons.In Study 1, researchers used brief low-frequency stimulations (1-5 stimuli per second) to establish a baseline response in the CA1 postsynaptic neurons. Then, the same dendrites were given a high-frequency stimulation (50-100 stimuli per second) , referred to as a tetanus. The researchers discovered that the high-frequency tetanus induced an increase in the response in postsynaptic CA1 neurons that was long-lasting. For the control, the researchers established a baseline in a second set of CA1 neurons in the same region but did not give a high-frequency tetanus (Figure 1) .
Figure 1 CA1 neuron response after a brief tetanus (experimental) or no tetanus (control) In a second behavioral study, mice were housed in either a standard cage (control) or a cage with an enhanced learning environment, including toys and access to a running wheel (experimental condition) . For the first 12 days, both groups of mice received injections of a dye that is incorporated into newly synthesized DNA, thereby providing a biomarker of neurogenesis.Following 30 days in their respective environments, all mice were tested each day for one week in the Morris Water Maze, a test that measures spatial learning and memory consolidation. Results showed that mice in the experimental condition demonstrated greater improvement on Morris Water Maze performance compared to controls. When hippocampi were examined, the results revealed that mice in the experimental condition had a greater number of dye-labeled cells than did the controls.
W. C. Abraham, B. Logan, J. M. Greenwood, and M. Dragunow ©2002 The Society of Neuroscience, and H. van Praag, B. R. Christie, T. J. Sejnowski, and F. H. Gage ©1999 National Academy of Sciences.
-Which of the following correctly pairs a brain area vital for learning in the Morris Water Maze with its appropriate function?

Question

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Physical modifications important for consolidating memory are particularly apparent in the hippocampus, especially a pathway called the Schaffer Collateral, which contains CA1 (cornu Ammonis) neurons that have been implicated in learning and memory. To study learning and memory in live mice, scientists use a stimulating electrode to generate brief electrical pulses on the dendrites of CA1 neurons in the Schaffer Collateral pathway and use a recording electrode to measure the excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the CA1 postsynaptic neurons.In Study 1, researchers used brief low-frequency stimulations (1-5 stimuli per second) to establish a baseline response in the CA1 postsynaptic neurons. Then, the same dendrites were given a high-frequency stimulation (50-100 stimuli per second) , referred to as a tetanus. The researchers discovered that the high-frequency tetanus induced an increase in the response in postsynaptic CA1 neurons that was long-lasting. For the control, the researchers established a baseline in a second set of CA1 neurons in the same region but did not give a high-frequency tetanus (Figure 1) .

Figure 1 CA1 neuron response after a brief tetanus (experimental) or no tetanus (control) In a second behavioral study, mice were housed in either a standard cage (control) or a cage with an enhanced learning environment, including toys and access to a running wheel (experimental condition) . For the first 12 days, both groups of mice received injections of a dye that is incorporated into newly synthesized DNA, thereby providing a biomarker of neurogenesis.Following 30 days in their respective environments, all mice were tested each day for one week in the Morris Water Maze, a test that measures spatial learning and memory consolidation. Results showed that mice in the experimental condition demonstrated greater improvement on Morris Water Maze performance compared to controls. When hippocampi were examined, the results revealed that mice in the experimental condition had a greater number of dye-labeled cells than did the controls.
W. C. Abraham, B. Logan, J. M. Greenwood, and M. Dragunow ©2002 The Society of Neuroscience, and H. van Praag, B. R. Christie, T. J. Sejnowski, and F. H. Gage ©1999 National Academy of Sciences.
-Which of the following correctly pairs a brain area vital for learning in the Morris Water Maze with its appropriate function?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0ce6_324a_a3bf_fb6cc3339e86_MD0008_00 The cerebellum is critical for motor learning, which occurs whenever an organism repeatedly practices a motor task, such as swimming, driving, or speaking. Motor learning is the foundation for procedural memory, the acquisition of which relies heavily on the cerebellum. Because the mice were tested in the Morris Water Maze each day for one week, the cerebellum would be involved in motor learning of this skill. The cerebellum is also responsible for integrating information from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems to maintain balance and posture, coordinate complex movements requiring multiple muscles, and control precision of fine motor movements. The cerebellum also receives feedback from the body regarding the position of body parts in space and relative to each other (proprioception). (Choice B) The frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for many functions, including the active manipulation of information involved in reasoning and problem solving (known as working memory) and the initiation of voluntary motor movements. The cerebellum (not the frontal lobe) ensures motor coordination by balancing excitatory and inhibitory neural impulses so movement is smooth and precise rather than jerky. (Choice C) The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for processing visual information. The parietal lobe (not the occipital lobe) processes spatial information (proprioception) and is responsible for cognitive mapping, our ability to represent mentally the spatial relationships concerning things in our environment. (Choice D) The hypothalamus is important for many metabolic processes that maintain homeostasis. The thalamus (not the hypothalamus) is responsible for relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex. Educational objective: The cerebellum is central to motor learning, maintaining balance and posture, coordinating complex movements, and controlling precision of fine motor movements. The cerebellum does not initiate voluntary movement, which occurs in the primary motor cortex of the frontal lobe; however, the cerebellum is critical for most other aspects of motor planning and execution.

Passage Physical Modifications Important for Consolidating Memory Are Particularly Apparent in in the Hippocampus