Environmental and

Chemical Factors
Maria Cortes
EDU 417
Instructor Savarese-Levine
12/19/16

Brain

The brain is a complex structure; it is through the brain that the

body can function properly. It operates on chemical or environmental stimulus. It takes the information provided and directs i
accordingly.
Wolfe, P. explains the process of how the brain works.
It receives information and relays it to the
appropriate locations for processing. It then allows you to
act on these data by controlling the motor output of your
muscles. Your brain generates emotions and lets you be
aware of them. It is the source of cognition, memory,
thoughts, and what we call Intelligence(20100915).

Learning
Learning is the process in which the brain creates new neural
connections that alter cognition, behavioral, social-emotional, and
development. Learning defines an adaptive change in behavior and
probably results from multiple forms of plasticity at different sites in
a neural circuit (Yan, & Lisberger, 2014). Environment, culture, and
emotional state can alter the process of learning. In high stress
situations, a childs brain will release chemical reactions that slow
down learning. It is through multiple neural connections that
learning can occur. Learning comprises multiple components that
probably involve cellular and synaptic plasticity at multiple sites.
Different neural sites may play their largest roles at different times
during behavioral learning (Yan, & Lisberger, 2014).

Memory

Learning and memory are fundamental brain functions

affected by dietary and environmental factors (Slutsky,
Abumaria, Wu, Huang, Zhang, Li, Liu, 2010). Through the
neural connections in the brain the electrical information
is passed through the hippocampus which it is forwarded
to the cortex. Once this process undergoes only then does
the brain determine if said information will either stay
short-term or progress to long-term memory.
Slutsky, I., Abumaria, N., Wu, L., Huang, C., Zhang, L., Li,
B., . . . Liu, G. explain the importance of neural
connections and plasticity on memory.
The pattern and strength of synaptic connections are
widely believed to code memory traces. However, the
ability to store new information in neural networks
depends on the degree of plasticity of synaptic
connections, as well as the number of available
connections. Therefore, number of synapses should be
critical for learning and memory too (2010).

Sleep
Sleep is like the recharge button on our brains. It reboots our brain
in order to enhance the memory processes of the brain. Sleep
plays a role in memory consolidation. This is demonstrated by
improved performance and neural plasticity underlying that
improvement after sleep (Cousins, El-Deredy, Parkes, Hennies, &
Lewis, 2016). Through sleep memories are reorganized in the brain
thus integrating activity.
Cousins, J. N., El-Deredy, W., Parkes, L. M., Hennies, N., & Lewis, P. A.
explains how learning and memory is enhanced with sleep.
Sleep has been shown to enhance this consolidation and, in
the process, to
reorganize the brain regions involved.
However, it remains unclear how sleep
does this, and whether
different sleep
stages have different contributions.
One
popular idea is that the memory
trace is reactivated during slowwave sleep (2016).

Nutrition
Good nutrition is the foundation if a healthy
working brain. As many mentioned breakfast is
the most important meal of the day. Why ? It
provides the brain with the fuel needed to
work properly. Malnutrition will cause delays in
the brain activities thus slowing down learning
development overall.
Schmitt, J. explains the effects of good
nutrition on the brain.
Nutrition essentially delivers four main
classes of functional compounds that may
affect brain functioning after absorption. Food
provides energy for the brain (essentially
glucose), building blocks (e.g., lipids and
amino acids), and micronutrients for
enzymatic and endocrine processes (e.g.,
iron, zinc, B vitamins, iodine) and is a source
of bio- or psychoactive molecules that can
exert a multitude of brain relevant actions
(2010).

Movements
Being active create an active
lifestyle which in turn will
create natural chemical
reactions (neurotransmitter) to
stimulate the brain which in
turn make it easier for learning.
Numerous studies have shown
that body movements can have
substantive positive effects on
childrens cognition, learning,
and academic achievement
concluded that exercise is a
simple, promising method for
enhancing the aspects of
childrens mental functioning
that are central to their
cognitive development
(Chandler, & Tricot, 2015).

neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity- The brain is
adaptable and ever changing
with the environmental and
genetic influences. It is through
the process of neuroplasticity
that the neural connections are
constantly transfiguring to the
form in which the individual
thinks and acts. When the
individuals thoughts and or
actions change, those neural
connections dry out and begins
new neural connections. Simply
stated, neuro plasticity means
that the brain is shaped not only
by its inherited genetic code but
also by its environment. No
other organ in the human body
can boast this feat to the same
degree (Wolfe,20100915).

neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are electrical
messengers in the brain that carry
information from one part of the brain
to the other. Most neurons
communicate with one another by
means of both electrical and chemical
signals. Nerve impulses that travel
along the axons in neurons are
bioelectrical currents (Wolfe,
20100915). These electrical signals
create different brain connections
that can help an individual make
choices, thoughts, and actions.

Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine- is a chemical
reaction in which slows
down the rate of the heart.
The discovery of the effect
of acetylcholine on the
heart was to have profound
implications for
understanding how neurons
communicate with one
another. Acetylcholine is
one of the brain's own

Dopamine
Dopamine is a
neurotransmitter
that plays several
roles in brain
functioning, but two
of its major roles are
to control conscious
motor activity and to
enhance pleasurable
feelings in the brain's
reward system
(Wolfe,20100915).

Serotonin
Serotonin is, for most people,
probably one of the best-known
neurotransmitters. It has been
called the "feel-good"
transmitter (Wolfe,20100915). It
affects the mood by calming the
brain instead of stimulating it. It
is this neurotransmitter that is
directly involved with depression.
Antidepressant inhibit the effect
of serotonin in the brain thus
having the feel-good feeling.

Conclusion
These neurochemical and environmental factors are all
interconnected due to the brain being interwoven itself. Every
aspect of life is a direct connection of the brain. When the child
learns something new that neural connection is passed through a
series of steps before it gets to where it needs to be. That makes
every experience environmental or neurochemical linked. An
environmental experience can have a negative effect on the child
thus making neurotransmitters release and cause the child to be in
a constant fight or flight mode which can wreak havoc on the
development and learning of the child. Yet this marvelous
structure is the source of all human behavior, simultaneously
controlling a myriad of unbelievably complex functions (Wolfe,
20100915).

Reference
Chandler, P., & Tricot, A. (2015). Mind Your Body: the Essential Role of Body Movements in
Children's Learning. Educational Psychology Review, 27(3), 365-370. doi:10.1007/s10648015-9333-3
Cousins, J. N., El-Deredy, W., Parkes, L. M., Hennies, N., & Lewis, P. A. (2016). Cued
Reactivation of Motor Learning during Sleep Leads to Overnight Changes in Functional Brain
Activity and Connectivity. Plos Biology, 14(5), 1. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002451
Schmitt, J. (2010). Nutrition and cognition: meeting the challenge to obtain credible and
evidence-based facts. Nutrition Reviews, 68S2-5. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00329.x
Slutsky, I., Abumaria, N., Wu, L., Huang, C., Zhang, L., Li, B., . . . Liu, G. (2010).
Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium. Neuron, 65(2), 165177. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2009.12.026
Yan, Y., & Lisberger, S. G. (2014). Role of Plasticity at Different Sites across the Time Course
of Cerebellar Motor Learning. Journal Of Neuroscience, 34(21), 7077-7090.
doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0017-14.2014
Wolfe, P. (20100915). Brain Matters: Translating Research into Classroom Practice, 2nd
Edition. [Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from
https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781416612384/