Question

The synapse is an area between two neurons that allows for chemical communication. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain what part of the neurons are communicating with each other and in which direction does this communication occur? Be specific.

In 3–5 sentences, explain the concept of “neuroplasticity.” Be specific and provide examples.

Answer 1

1.Synapse is the junction between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another, through which the two neurons communicate.Neurons communicate with each other via electrical events called 'action potentials' and chemical neurotransmitters. The normal direction of information flow is from the axon terminal to the target neuron; thus, the axon terminal is said to be presynaptic (carries information towards a synapse) and the target neuron is said to be postsynaptic (carries information from a synapse).

2.Brain plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity, is a term that refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience. Earlier reaserchers believed that neurogenesis stopped after birth, but today it's understood that the brain possesses the remarkable capacity to reorganize pathways, create new connections, and, in some cases, even create new neurons a concept called neuroplasticity, or brain plasticity.there are two types of plasticity, structural(The brain's ability to actually change its physical structure as a result of learning)and functional(The brain's ability to move functions from a damaged area of the brain to other undamaged areas). For example, conductors, who need to be able to locate sounds more often than other musicians or non-musicians, are better at separating adjacent sound sources in their peripheral auditory field. Increased gray matter volumes in several brain regions can be found in musicians as compared to non-musicians. It is due to neuroplasticity.