Learning

Learning

1. Reflex action; Automatic involuntary behaviour that does not require prior experience and occurs in the same way each time.

2. Fixed-action pattern; When all members of a species produce an identical response to the same specific environmental stimuli.

3. Maturation; Orderly sequence of changes that occur in the nervous system and other bodily structures controlled by genetic inheritance.

4. Neural basis of learning;

   • -When neurons communicate with one another they do so by sending a neurotransmitter comprising electrochemical messages across the tiny space between the axon ending of one neuron and the dendrite of another.
     • -This tiny space is called the synaptic gap. The synaptic gap is one component of the synapse. The other two components of the synapse are the axon ending of the 'sending' or presynaptic neuron and the dendrite of the 'receiving' postsynaptic neuron. The synapse is the site of communication.

5. Plasticity; Is the ability of the brain's neural structure or function to be changed by experience throughout the lifespan.

   • Developmental plasticity; Refers to the change in the brains neural structure in response to experience during its growth and development.
   • Refers to the changes occurring in the brains neural structure to enable adjustment to experience, to compensate for lost of function and/or to maximise remaining functoins in the event of brain damage.