Learning And Memory Essay

The process of memorization starts at birth with the development of cells and extends throughout the lifetime through the effects of life experiences and stimulants. Like the rest of the body, the brain is made up of cells. These brain cells are different, more specialized cells. (Sprenger 1). Two major brain cells are the neurons- the nerve cells- and the glial cells which work as the ‘glue’ of the neurons. At birth, the brain contains approximately 100 billion neurons. Although that number remains constant over time, these cells can lose their function if not exercised properly in a process called “neutral pruning”. Learning is defined as “two neurons communicating with each other”. A neuron has learned when it has made a connection with another neuron (Sprenger 2).

In Learning and Memory, Sprenger uses the hand as an example for the structure of the neuron saying, “The cell body can be compared to the palm of your hand. Information enters the cell body through appendages called dendrites, represented by your fingers. Like the fingers, dendrites are constantly moving and seeking out new information. If the neuron needs to send information to another neuron, the message is sent through the axon, represented by the wrist. When a neuron sends information down its axon to communicate with another neuron, it never actually touches the other neuron”. As the neurons are making connections with other neurons, dendrites are being created, strengthening the network (Sprenger 2). Even though the brain has approximately 100 billion neurons, each neuron can have up to 10,000 connections with other neurons. This means that the brain has over one quadrillion connections. As previously said, learning is “two neurons communicating with each other”. If each connection is a communication, and there are over one quadrillion connections, then the brain is a power house for communication (Sprenger