Chapter 1
The man who forgot on purpose
Chapter 2
The physical brain under construction
Chapter 3
From cardboard boxes to supercomputers
Chapter 4
Spaced repetition in the wild
Ch 2 · The physical brain under construction
duolingo Chemical signals crossing synapses create temporary neural pathways that transform into permanent physical connections through repeated activation.
Quiz
What is the name of the chemical and electrical junction where two brain cells connect to pass information?
Quiz
Which region of the brain is most famously associated with turning short-term memories into long-term ones?
duolingo Cramming fails to activate the brain proteins required for long-term memory storage.
Quiz
What is the name of the cellular protein that acts as a master molecular switch for long-term memory gene expression?
Quiz
Why does cramming (massed study) fail to create stable, long-term memories at a molecular level?
Fun Fact
Sea slug science: Much of what we know about memory's molecular switches was discovered by studying the giant, simple neurons of Aplysia sea slugs!
Quiz
During which state does the brain actively transfer memories from temporary storage to the permanent neocortex?
Quiz
What is the term for the biological process where a fresh, unstable memory is transformed into a stable, long-term state?
Quiz
Why is reviewing a flashcard right before you forget it more effective than reviewing it repeatedly when it is fresh?