Free Practice Quiz Question List

6 Learning and Neural Plasticity Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 6 Learning and Neural Plasticity, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

Neural adaptation is related to plasticity, but is not identical to learning.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

A neuron's response diminishes while it is exposed to an unchanging stimulus. What process does this illustrate? Enter the name of the process.

Choose one

1 point

At many excitatory synapses, which sequence best explains how coincident presynaptic activity and postsynaptic depolarization can produce long-term potentiation?

A
Depolarization closes NMDA receptors, reducing calcium entry and removing AMPA receptors.
B
Depolarization relieves the NMDA receptor block, allowing calcium entry that can increase AMPA receptor number or effectiveness.
C
Postsynaptic depolarization prevents presynaptic activity from influencing the synapse.
D
Calcium entry directly weakens the synapse by reducing AMPA receptor effectiveness.

Fill in the blank

1 point

A lasting increase in synaptic strength is called , while a lasting decrease in synaptic strength is called .

Choose one

1 point

At some hippocampal synapses, how can a more modest rise in postsynaptic calcium contribute to long-term depression (LTD)?

A
A large calcium rise invariably increases AMPA receptors, regardless of synapse type.
B
A modest calcium rise strengthens transmission by increasing the number of AMPA receptors.
C
A modest calcium rise can favor signaling that removes or reduces AMPA receptors, weakening transmission.
D
LTD occurs only when presynaptic firing stops.

Choose all

1 point

Which statements about spike-timing-dependent plasticity are supported? Select all correct answers.

A
Presynaptic firing shortly before postsynaptic firing can favor strengthening.
B
The timing rule is identical in every circuit and condition.
C
The reverse firing order can favor weakening.
D
Relative firing time cannot influence synaptic change.

Fill in the blank

1 point

A neuromodulator that can signal whether an outcome was rewarding, unexpected, or otherwise important is .

True or false

1 point

Some forms of long-term potentiation involve changes on the presynaptic side as well as postsynaptic changes.

A
True
B
False

Choose all

1 point

Which statements describe processes associated with early and longer-lasting plasticity? Select all correct answers.

A
Early plasticity may rely on modifying existing proteins and receptors.
B
Early plasticity always requires structural changes to synapses.
C
Longer-lasting change involves only temporary changes to existing receptors.
D
Longer-lasting change can involve altered gene expression, protein production, and structural changes to synapses.

Written response

1 point

A neuron's prior activity changes how easily it undergoes further plasticity. What is this regulation of future plastic change called? Enter the term.

Choose one

1 point

Which process can stabilize overall activity by adjusting many of a neuron's excitatory synapses up or down in response to prolonged changes in activity?

A
Hebbian plasticity modifies particular active connections.
B
Synaptic scaling adjusts many excitatory synapses up or down in response to prolonged changes in activity.
C
Neural adaptation prevents any activity-dependent changes at synapses.
D
Spike-timing-dependent plasticity stabilizes activity by changing all excitatory synapses equally.

Open ended

1 point

Explain how synapse-specific plasticity and stabilizing mechanisms can allow neural circuits to adapt without becoming unstable. Include the role of homeostatic plasticity and metaplasticity.

Written response

1 point

Although many described LTP mechanisms involve postsynaptic changes, some forms also involve changes on which side of the synapse? Enter the side of the synapse.

Choose one

1 point

A circuit repeatedly uses one input while leaving nearby inputs relatively inactive. Which outcome is consistent with activity-dependent synaptic plasticity?

A
Every synapse must strengthen whenever a neuron fires.
B
The changes can be specific to synapses that were active.
C
Plasticity only changes how sensory receptors detect stimuli.
D
Synaptic changes occur independently of activity.

Choose one

1 point

At a hippocampal synapse, a modest rise in postsynaptic calcium is followed by weaker transmission. Which mechanism best fits this outcome?

A
A large calcium rise always adds AMPA receptors, regardless of context.
B
Presynaptic firing stops permanently, eliminating all transmission.
C
A modest postsynaptic calcium rise can favor reducing AMPA receptors.
D
All postsynaptic receptors are converted into NMDA receptors.

Choose one

1 point

In a circuit showing a commonly observed spike-timing-dependent plasticity pattern, what is expected when a presynaptic neuron fires shortly before its postsynaptic target?

A
Presynaptic firing shortly before postsynaptic firing favors strengthening.
B
Postsynaptic firing must always precede presynaptic firing for strengthening.
C
The relative timing of firing has no influence on synaptic change.
D
Presynaptic and postsynaptic firing must be separated by a long interval.

Choose one

1 point

A synaptic change persists beyond the early phase, when existing proteins and receptors may be modified. Which set of processes can help stabilize longer-lasting change?

A
Only a brief change in membrane voltage is needed.
B
Neural adaptation prevents new proteins from being produced.
C
Long-term changes require every neuron in the brain to fire together.
D
Altered gene expression, protein production, and synaptic structure can help stabilize change.

Choose one

1 point

A neuron responds less strongly after prolonged exposure to an unchanging stimulus. Which process best describes this change in responsiveness?

A
Long-term potentiation: synaptic strength increases after activity.
B
Neural adaptation: responsiveness changes following sustained or repeated stimulation, and a response to an unchanging stimulus may diminish.
C
Homeostatic plasticity: a particular active connection strengthens without constraint.
D
Long-term depression: a neuron stops responding to all sensory input.

True or false

1 point

True or false: A single synaptic change, by itself, fully explains how a complex memory is represented.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

At many excitatory synapses, which receptor type allows calcium ions to enter the postsynaptic neuron after depolarization relieves its voltage-dependent block?