Question 1

The formation of a memory trace begins when a behavioral experience activates a neuronal ensemble that represents the experience.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The activation of a neuronal ensemble forms the basis for the creation of a memory trace.

Question 2

An important step in the generation of a memory is the release of glutamate onto dendritic spines.

Accepted Answer

Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that is released from presynaptic terminals onto dendritic spines during synaptic transmission. This process is essential for the strengthening of synapses and the generation of long-term memories.

Question 3

Morris used genetically engineered mice in the first study that investigated the role of NMDA receptors in memory formation.

Accepted Answer

The first study that investigated the role of NMDA receptors in memory formation used pharmacological methods, not genetically engineered mice, to block NMDA receptors and observe the effects on memory.

Question 4

Morris used a pharmacological treatment to study the role of NMDA receptors in memory formation.

Accepted Answer

Morris used the drug APV, which blocks NMDA receptors, to study their role in memory formation.

Question 5

GluN1 subunits are not required to form functional NMDA receptors.

Accepted Answer

GluN1 subunits are essential for the formation of functional NMDA receptors.

Question 6

GluN1 subunits are necessary to form functional NMDA receptors.

Accepted Answer

GluN1 subunits are an essential component of NMDA receptors, forming the binding site for ligands and providing stability for the receptor complex. Without GluN1 subunits, functional NMDA receptors cannot be formed.

Question 7

The CA1KO mouse was able to display LTP in the CA1 regions but not in the dentate gyrus.

Accepted Answer

The CA1KO mouse lacks the NMDA receptor in CA1 region, and therefore cannot display LTP in CA1. However, it is still able to display LTP in the dentate gyrus.

Question 8

The CA1KO mouse was able to display LTP in the dentate gyrus region but not in the CA1.

Accepted Answer

The CA1KO mouse, which lacks NMDA receptors specifically in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, can still display long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dentate gyrus region because LTP in the dentate gyrus does not depend on the presence of NMDA receptors in the CA1 region.

Question 9

Memory formation can take place without the contribution of NMDA receptors.

Accepted Answer

There is evidence that memory formation can occur through alternative cellular pathways that do not involve NMDA receptors, such as AMPA receptors and metabotropic neurotransmitter receptors. However, NMDA receptors are still thought to play a significant role in the process of memory formation in the brain.

Question 10

Ampakines are neither agonists nor antagonists.

Accepted Answer

Ampakines are positive allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors, which means they enhance the function of the receptor without directly acting as an agonist or antagonist.

Question 11

Ampakines are an example of a receptor modulator.

Accepted Answer

Ampakines are a type of receptor modulator that specifically modulate the function of AMPA receptors in the central nervous system.

Question 12

A behavioral experience that produces a memory is likely to result in more phosphorylated cofilin and more autophosphorylated CaMKII.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that a behavioral experience that produces a memory is associated with an increase in phosphorylated cofilin, which helps to stabilize changes in synaptic strength, and an increase in autophosphorylated CaMKII, which is important for the long-term maintenance of memory-related synaptic connections.

Question 13

NMDA receptors are required for both the acquisition and the retrieval of memories.

Accepted Answer

NMDA receptors are crucial for the acquisition of memories, but they are not required for the retrieval of memories. Retrieval processes can utilize other mechanisms and pathways independent of NMDA receptor activity.

Question 14

The Doogie mouse was engineered to overexpress GluN2A receptors.

Accepted Answer

The Doogie mouse was engineered to overexpress NR2B (NMDA receptor subunit 2B), not GluN2A receptors, which enhanced its learning and memory capabilities.

Question 15

The Doogie mouse was engineered to overexpress GluN2B receptors.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The Doogie mouse was genetically modified to overexpress GluN2B receptors in the brain.

Question 16

GluN1-GluN2B to GLuN1-GLuN2A receptors ratio increases during development.

Accepted Answer

The answer of GluN1-GluN2B to GLuN1-GLuN2A receptors ratio increases during...

Question 17

GluN1-GluN2A receptor complexes influx more calcium than GluN1-GluN2B receptor complexes.

Accepted Answer

GluN1-GluN2B receptor complexes generally allow for greater calcium influx than GluN1-GluN2A receptor complexes, due to differences in their subunit composition affecting their ion channel properties.

Question 18

Remembering the plot of a book you read a few months ago is an example of working memory.

Accepted Answer

Remembering the plot of a book you read a few months ago is an example of long-term memory, not working memory, which is used for temporarily holding and manipulating information.

Question 19

AMPA receptors are needed only for memory acquisition, but NMDA receptors are required for both acquisition and retrieval.

Accepted Answer

Both AMPA receptors and NMDA receptors are involved in memory acquisition and retrieval. However, NMDA receptors are particularly important for memory consolidation and retrieval, while AMPA receptors play a more minor role in these processes.

Question 20

Working memory cannot be studied in animals because they cannot communicate what problems they are trying to solve.

Accepted Answer

While animals cannot communicate in the same way humans do, their working memory can still be studied using various cognitive and behavioral tests designed specifically for animals. These tests can measure an animal's ability to hold and manipulate information in its working memory.

Quiz 10: Memory Formation: Early Stages