System Consolidation

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Human memory is frequently used throughout the day to store vital information. For example, it is used to recall where one placed one’s keys or to remember a persons name that was previously met. Essentially, memory is the sum of what one remembers; it gives one the ability to learn and adapt from past experiences. Because of memory, society is able to advance by preventing the recurrence of past mistakes. Memory function is divided into three categories: encoding, consolidating, and retrieval. Encoding is the first crucial step in creating a memory. The process of encoding begins with captivating one’s attention; therefore, stimulating the thalamus and frontal lobe which regulate attention and trigger neurons to fire more frequently when …show more content…

It usually consists of two processes: synaptic consolidation and system consolidation. Synaptic consolidation occurs within the first few hours after learning. System consolidation is a hippocampus-dependent memory becoming independent of the hippocampus over a period of weeks to years. Neurologically the process of consolidation utilizes the phenomenon called long-term potentiation which allows a synapses to increase its strength as increasing numbers of signals are transmitted between the two nuerons. Potentiation is a process by which synchronous firing of nuerons makes those nuerons more inclined to fire together in the future. When this neural pathway is signaled over and over again a unique pattern is engraved. Which helps neural messages to flow along, as the messages prefer familiar paths of least resistance. Deep Sleep is also known to be important for consolidation and significantly improves recall. Through a method called mirror recording. When memories are re-consolidated and more easily recalled …show more content…

More commonly known as remembering. During recall the brain “replays” a pattern of neural activities that was originally created in a response to that particular event. Contrary to popular belief memories are not stored like books on shelves, but rather a network of scattered elements reconstructed by association and neural networking. Therefore, memory retrieval quality is determined by the strength of the neural pathways created in the consolidation process. When this memory is recalled through the mirror image of the encoding process, it is then re-stacked again, re-consolidated, and strengthened. Hence, rehearsal is a good way to memorize a piece of information. There are also two main methods of accessing a memory: recognition and recall. Recognition is the association of an event, or physical object which was previously experienced, or encountered. It involves a process of comparison of information with the stored memory. For example recognizing a familiar face in a crowd. Recall involves remembering a fact, event, or object that is not currently physically present. This process requires direct uncovering of information from the memory. For example recalling the name of a specific person recognized. However, Recognition is considered to be more “superior” by researchers as it only requires a single process rather than

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