Translated from Spanish to English - www.onlinedoctranslator.com
SAQ BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
1. TECHNIQUES
One technique to study the brain is Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI]. MRI provides
a three-dimensional image of brain structures. An MRI scanner uses a magnetic field
and radio waves to map the activity of hydrogen molecules. The image can be viewed
as a portion of the brain from any angle or as a three-dimensional image of the brain.
There are several advantages to using an MRI. First, the procedure is non-invasive,
with minimal potential harm to the participant. Secondly, the image has high
resolution; This gives researchers a good idea of the actual structure of the brain.
However, MRI is correlational in nature, which does not allow researchers to establish
a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
Maguire
Therefore, Maguire conducted a quasi-experiment with the aim of seeing if there would be any
difference in the brains of London taxi drivers due to their exceptional knowledge of the city and
the hours they spend behind the wheel.
The sample was made up of 16 taxi drivers, who had previously been given a “knowledge” test,
and who also had to have had their driving license for at least a year and a half. They then
underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the density of gray matter in the
brain. The MRIs of the taxi drivers were compared with the MRIs of 50 male non-taxi drivers,
who were the control group. The study was single blind.
The results showed that the volume of the right posterior hippocampus of the taxi drivers was
larger than that of the control group, and that this was related to years of driving. These findings
were thanks to the fact that the MRI provided a real image of the participants' brains, and thus
managed to identify their structures, in this case the hippocampus.
,2. LOCATION
Localization of function is the theory that specific parts of the brain have specific
functions that are related to specific behaviors. However, there are behaviors that are
too complex, requiring the involvement of several parts of the brain. Although specific
parts of the brain are assigned a function, they must work together with others to
form behaviors.
Maguire is a good example that shows how a specific part of the brain is related to a
specific function, that is, how the hippocampus is responsible for transmitting short-
term memory to long-term memory. The study shows how cognitive processes can be
localized in the brain.
Maguire
Therefore, Maguire conducted a quasi-experiment with the aim of seeing if there would be any
difference in the brains of London taxi drivers due to their exceptional knowledge of the city and
the hours they spend behind the wheel.
The sample was made up of 16 taxi drivers, who had previously been given a “knowledge” test,
and who also had to have had their driving license for at least a year and a half. They then
underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the density of gray matter in the
brain. The MRIs of the taxi drivers were compared with the MRIs of 50 male non-taxi drivers,
who were the control group. The study was single blind.
The results showed that the volume of the right posterior hippocampus of the taxi
drivers was larger than that of the control group, and that this was related to years of
driving. Therefore, this relates to the localization theory of function as the posterior
hippocampus is involved in processing spatial memories.
3. NEUROPLASTICITY
,Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural
connections. Neuroplasticity allows neurons in the brain to compensate for injuries or
respond to changes in the environment. When neurons are continuously activated as a
result of environmental stimulation, they generate new dendrites, known as dendritic
branching. This increases the number of synapses available in a behavior.
Maguire is a good example showing dendritic branching as a result of the
environment.
Maguire
Therefore, Maguire conducted a quasi-experiment with the aim of seeing if there would be any
difference in the brains of London taxi drivers due to their exceptional knowledge of the city and
the hours they spend behind the wheel.
The sample was made up of 16 taxi drivers, who had previously been given a “knowledge” test,
and who also had to have had their driving license for at least a year and a half. They then
underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the density of gray matter in the
brain. The MRIs of the taxi drivers were compared with the MRIs of 50 male non-taxi drivers,
who were the control group. The study was single blind.
The results showed that the volume of the right posterior hippocampus of the taxi drivers was
larger than that of the control group, and that this was related to years of driving. Therefore,
neuroplasticity was experienced, as the hippocampus can change in response to
environmental demands. The volume of the posterior hippocampus expanded due to its heavy
reliance on navigation skills and spatial memories.
4. NEURAL NETWORKS
The process by which neural networks are formed is called neuroplasticity. Neural
networks are formed when a neuron or a set of neurons is continuously activated.
, The continuous activation of neurons is known as long-term potentiation, which
causes neurons to produce new dendrites, known as dendritic branching. This
increases the number of synapses available for a behavior.
Maguire is a good example showing dendritic branching as a result of the
environment.
Maguire
Therefore, Maguire conducted a quasi-experiment with the aim of seeing if there would be any
difference in the brains of London taxi drivers due to their exceptional knowledge of the city and
the hours they spend behind the wheel.
The sample was made up of 16 taxi drivers, who had previously been given a “knowledge” test,
and who also had to have had their driving license for at least a year and a half. They then
underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the density of gray matter in the
brain. The MRIs of the taxi drivers were compared with the MRIs of 50 male non-taxi drivers,
who were the control group. The study was single blind.
The results showed that the volume of the right posterior hippocampus of the taxi drivers was
larger than that of the control group, and that this was related to years of driving. Therefore,
neuroplasticity was experienced, as the hippocampus can change in response to
environmental demands. The volume of the posterior hippocampus expanded due to its heavy
reliance on navigation skills and spatial memories.
5. NEURAL PRUNING
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to adapt to changes in the environment. One of the
ways our brain changes is by creating neural networks. This happens due to long-term
potentiation, that is, the repeated activation of neurons. This leads to an increase in
dendritic branching, which leads to an increase in the number of synapses.
