Question 1

When a memory is retrieved in a classically conditioned animal, the administration of a protein synthesis inhibitor can disrupt the original memory. This finding suggests that protein synthesis is important for ________.

Accepted Answer

Protein synthesis is crucial for the reconsolidation process, where retrieved memories become labile and require restabilization.

Question 2

What do scientists observe in rats following unavoidable cat exposure?

Accepted Answer

Unavoidable cat exposure in rats is a stressor that can lead to decreased levels of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), which is associated with stress and anxiety responses.

Question 3

Reductions in cortisol combined with a heightened autonomic response might be observed in someone suffering from ________.

Accepted Answer

Reductions in cortisol levels combined with a heightened autonomic response are characteristic of individuals suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This reflects the body's heightened state of alertness and stress response associated with PTSD.

Question 4

An individual's difficulty in telling the difference between safety and threatening stimuli can be assessed in a procedure known as ________.

Accepted Answer

Conditional discrimination tasks are used to assess an individual's ability to distinguish between different stimuli, including determining what is safe versus what is threatening. This involves learning that certain conditions or cues predict different outcomes.

Question 5

Highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) is often associated with ________.

Accepted Answer

HSAM is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as studies have shown a higher prevalence of OCD behaviors among individuals with HSAM compared to the general population. This suggests a potential link between the mechanisms underlying HSAM and those involved in OCD.

Question 6

What brain region encodes the probability of positive outcomes?

Accepted Answer

The lateral intraparietal area (LIP) is involved in decision-making processes and encodes the probability of positive outcomes, particularly in tasks involving uncertainty and reward prediction.

Question 7

What brain area would likely be activated if an expected outcome does not occur following a decision?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What brain area would likely be activated...

Question 8

In Ivan Pavlov's famous experiment, what represented the conditioned stimulus?

Accepted Answer

The bell (or bowl) was the conditioned stimulus in Pavlov's experiment. It was a neutral stimulus that, through association with food (the unconditioned stimulus), came to elicit salivation (the conditioned response) in the dogs.

Question 9

What enzyme facilitates synaptic transmission and behavioral sensitization of gill retraction in Aplysia?

Accepted Answer

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is involved in the facilitation of synaptic transmission and behavioral sensitization of gill retraction in Aplysia through the phosphorylation of various proteins, enhancing synaptic strength.

Question 10

Which of the following has been argued to be a biological mechanism for memory?

Accepted Answer

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a process where synaptic connections are strengthened, and it is widely considered a key mechanism underlying memory and learning in the brain.

Question 11

Which of the following changes may be a mechanism of synaptic restructuring?

Accepted Answer

Activity-mediated spine enlargement is a mechanism of synaptic restructuring as it involves changes in the structure of synapses, such as the growth of dendritic spines, which can strengthen synaptic connections.

Question 12

Which of the following best characterizes the views of Gerd Kempermann?

Accepted Answer

Gerd Kempermann is known for his work on neurogenesis and the adaptability of the brain. His research suggests that a certain level of plasticity and instability in neural networks is necessary for learning and memory formation, which aligns with the idea that networks that are too stable cannot acquire new things.

Question 13

What is the memory engram?

Accepted Answer

The memory engram refers to the physical trace or the biological basis of a memory in the brain, which is conceptually how memories are stored and retrieved.

Question 14

Which of the following brain structures is necessary for successful performance in the "place" version of the Morris water maze task?

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is necessary for successful performance in the "place" version of the Morris water maze task because it is involved in spatial memory.

Question 15

Damage in which of the following brain regions leads to impaired performance on the delayed nonmatching-to-sample task?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Damage in which of the following brain...

Question 16

What allows for the updating of memories?

Accepted Answer

Postretrieval lability refers to the concept that memories become unstable and susceptible to modification each time they are retrieved, allowing for the updating or alteration of those memories.

Question 17

Which of the following brain changes is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hippocampal volume is a well-documented change in the brain associated with PTSD, often linked to the impact of stress on the brain's ability to process memories and emotions.

Question 18

Which of the following treatments should improve memory in rats?

Accepted Answer

Moderate levels of stress can enhance memory and cognitive functions in rats by stimulating the release of certain hormones and neurotransmitters that are beneficial for memory consolidation. In contrast, high levels of stress, hippocampal lesions, and reduced levels of NCAM are generally associated with impaired memory and cognitive functions.

Question 19

According to the chapter, what brain change is observed in people with highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM)?

Accepted Answer

People with highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) have been observed to have a larger putamen, which is part of the findings related to the structural differences in their brains compared to those without HSAM.

Question 20

When approaching an intersection, the act of trying to determine how far the car is from the stop light is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When approaching an intersection, the act of...

Quiz 12: Learning, Memory, and Decision Making