Synaptic plasticity is super important for learning. It helps our brain change how strong our connections between brain cells are. Here are two main ways this happens:
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP): This is when a connection is used a lot, making it stronger. Imagine a path in the woods; the more people walk on it, the easier it gets to walk on.
Long-Term Depression (LTD): On the other hand, if a connection isn’t used much, it can get weaker. This makes it harder for those brain cells to communicate.
These changes are guided by special chemicals in our brain called neurotransmitters. One key player is glutamate. It helps let calcium into the cells and sends signals that change the connections. This is really important for how we learn and remember things.
Synaptic plasticity is super important for learning. It helps our brain change how strong our connections between brain cells are. Here are two main ways this happens:
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP): This is when a connection is used a lot, making it stronger. Imagine a path in the woods; the more people walk on it, the easier it gets to walk on.
Long-Term Depression (LTD): On the other hand, if a connection isn’t used much, it can get weaker. This makes it harder for those brain cells to communicate.
These changes are guided by special chemicals in our brain called neurotransmitters. One key player is glutamate. It helps let calcium into the cells and sends signals that change the connections. This is really important for how we learn and remember things.