In: Biology
Question 4: Learning and memory:
College students and life-long learners (such as professors) need to optimize their learning and memory capabilities. Describe the two basic mechanisms by which the circadian timing system influences learning and memory, including an example of each one. Also, based on what we have studied in this course, describe some of the ways in which you could enhance your cognitive skills by making adjustments in your daily habits and lifestyle that affect your circadian rhythms and sleep. Describe at least one experimental study that provide the scientific support for making these adjustments in order to improve cognition.
Answer: Circadian rhythm is the maintenance of the 24hour cycle which is modulated by many of the components of the endogenous system of our body as well as exogenous system. Basically it has been thought to be maintained through day and night light transition. When the light fall on the photoreceptors present in the retina through retinohypothalamic tract signal is transmiited to the SCN(Suprachiamatic Nucleus) which maintains the rhythm.
Now we all know that hippocampus has a significant role in the memory formation and storage. Experiments has showed some link of the SCN to hippocampus directly or via Locus Coerules. Moreove many clock controlling genes like per1 and per 2 are being found on the hippocampus showing a link of memory and learning to circadian rhythm.
It has been shown in mice that they were able to learn more in dark phase. Moreover melatonin hormone which helps in circadian rhythm, which recpetors when genetically deleted in mice lead to more enhancement of memory.
Lifestyles and making adjustments in daily habits has always been a key modulator in the cognitive enhancement of human beings. Physical exercises , diet modification etc helps in decreading the stress level and moreover combat inflammatory processes and helps neurogenesis and helps antioxidation. It is the neuronal plasticity which helps the neurons to make changes and reorganise continuously in response to needs by maintaining the membrane stablity. Now with exercises, yoga and diet modification there is a parasympathetic control enhancement of our body.Moreove many neurotransmitters were produced which maintains the stabilty of the this neuronal membrane as a result the neuron plasticity is maintained.Many experiments in mice and many studies in subjects has shown that physical activities prevents the cognitive decline in the aging individuals.
ALL THE BEST MATE. CHEERS!!!