Developing synapses and the purpose of synaptic pruning
Synaptic Pruning
removing excess synapses in order
to make room for new, stronger synapses
(for example, our old memories are sometimes
forgotten in order to create room in the brain for new,
more vivid memories) -Kaylie
When a synapse is
destroyed, memories that go
along with it are lost. This can often be
connected to the saying "use it or lose it"
when it comes to the brain -K
stop doing something that you always did. that information will be rendered useless.
is a natural process that occurs in the brain between early childhood and adulthood
refers to the normally occurring process that change and reduce the number of neurons, synapses and axons that exist within the brain and nervous system.
synapse
allow neurons to pass on electrical or chemical signal to another neuron.
Believed to be the form in which long term memories
are stored -Kaylie
Synaptic formations
can be either strengthened
or formed (eg. a new memory)
-K
long term memories are stored in the brain in the form of synapses.
memory formation happens when synaptic connections are strengthened, or entirely new synapses are formed.
Long lasting functional changes in the brain happen when we learn new things, or memorize new information.
The brain goes through synaptic pruning to make room for more information, and gets rid of neurons that are no longer needed.