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Physio: 3# Learning & Memory
Q1. Memory traces are best defined as:
Facilitated synaptic pathways formed by altered synaptic sensitivity
Stored electrical impulses in neurons
Permanent protein deposits in neurons
Reverberating cortical circuits only
Explanation:
Memory is stored by changing synaptic sensitivity; the facilitated pathways formed are called memory traces.
Q2. Which memory type includes memory of time relationships and meaning of experiences?
Skill memory
Declarative memory
Procedural memory
Working memory
Explanation:
Declarative memory stores integrated thoughts, experiences, meanings, surroundings, and temporal relationships.
Q3. Habituation (negative memory) primarily results from:
Increased transmitter release
Opening of potassium channels
Progressive closure of calcium channels
Structural synaptic growth
Explanation:
Habituation occurs due to inhibition of synaptic pathways caused by progressive closure of calcium channels.
Q4. Which neurotransmitter initiates synaptic facilitation in memory sensitization?
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
Glutamate
Serotonin
Explanation:
Serotonin released at the synapse activates adenyl cyclase and initiates synaptic facilitation.
Q5. Which intracellular messenger is formed following serotonin binding during facilitation?
IP₃
cAMP
cGMP
DAG
Explanation:
Serotonin activates adenyl cyclase, increasing cAMP formation and activating protein kinase.
Q6. Prolonged action potentials during facilitation are due to:
Blockade of potassium channels
Closure of calcium channels
Reduced sodium permeability
Inhibition of protein kinases
Explanation:
Phosphorylation blocks potassium channels, prolonging action potentials and increasing calcium entry.
Q7. Short-term memory is most closely associated with:
Structural synaptic remodeling
DNA-dependent protein synthesis
Continual neural activity in temporary circuits
Growth of dendritic spines
Explanation:
Short-term memory depends on reverberating neural circuits and presynaptic facilitation lasting seconds to minutes.
Q8. Intermediate long-term memory differs from short-term memory because it:
Lasts only seconds
Is always permanent
Requires DNA replication
Persists due to temporary chemical or physical synaptic changes
Explanation:
Intermediate memory lasts minutes to weeks due to temporary synaptic changes, not permanent restructuring.
Q9. Long-term memory formation is prevented by drugs that block:
DNA-stimulated protein synthesis
Calcium entry
Sodium channels
cAMP formation
Explanation:
Long-term memory requires structural synaptic changes dependent on DNA-driven protein synthesis.
Q10. Minimal consolidation of memory requires approximately:
30 seconds
5–10 minutes
24 hours
Several days
Explanation:
Consolidation requires at least 5–10 minutes, with strong consolidation needing ≥1 hour.
Q11. Which structure is most critical for memory consolidation?
Thalamus
Basal ganglia
Cerebellum
Hippocampus
Explanation:
The hippocampus is essential for converting short-term memory into long-term memory.
Q12. Anterograde amnesia results from lesions of the:
Medial temporal lobe
Thalamus
Prefrontal cortex
Parietal lobe
Explanation:
Damage to hippocampus, amygdala, and adjacent medial temporal structures prevents formation of new memories.
Q13. Retrograde amnesia is most commonly associated with lesions of the:
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Thalamus
Cingulate gyrus
Explanation:
Thalamic lesions impair recall of previously stored long-term memories.
Q14. The prefrontal association area is essential for:
Primary sensory perception
Working memory and thought elaboration
Language comprehension
Motor execution
Explanation:
The prefrontal cortex stores working memories and integrates information for higher cognitive processing.
Q15. Parieto-occipitotemporal association area primarily provides:
Motor planning
Emotional behavior
Primary visual perception
Integrated interpretation of multisensory input
Explanation:
This association area integrates somatosensory, visual, and auditory information for high-level interpretation.
Q16. Wernicke’s area is primarily responsible for:
Language comprehension
Word formation
Speech articulation
Facial recognition
Explanation:
Wernicke’s area interprets spoken and written language and is essential for comprehension.
Q17. Damage to Wernicke’s area results in:
Inability to speak
Preserved comprehension with poor speech output
Fluent but meaningless speech
Complete mutism
Explanation:
Wernicke’s aphasia produces fluent speech lacking meaningful content with impaired comprehension.
Q18. Broca’s area is connected to Wernicke’s area by the:
Internal capsule
Arcuate fasciculus
Corpus callosum
Uncinate fasciculus
Explanation:
The arcuate fasciculus transmits language information between comprehension and speech production areas.
Q19. Motor aphasia is characterized by:
Inability to understand speech
Fluent but incoherent speech
Loss of reading ability
Preserved comprehension with inability to speak
Explanation:
Loss of Broca’s area prevents speech production despite intact understanding.
Q20. Prosopagnosia results from damage to the:
Face recognition area in occipito-temporal cortex
Primary visual cortex
Angular gyrus
Broca’s area
Explanation:
Damage to the face recognition area causes inability to recognize faces despite intact vision.