Place cells

Definition

Place cells are specialized neurons located in the hippocampus that become active when an individual is in a specific location in their environment. These cells play a crucial role in spatial navigation, helping to form a cognitive map of the surroundings by encoding spatial information and guiding behavior based on location.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Place cells were first discovered in the early 1970s by John O'Keefe, who found that these neurons activate when rats occupy specific locations in a familiar environment.
2. Each place cell corresponds to a particular area or 'place field,' meaning its activation reflects an animal's location within that space.
3. Place cells can help with memory recall by reactivating in the same pattern during navigation or when recalling a specific location, linking memories to places.
4. The firing patterns of place cells can change based on environmental alterations, showing flexibility in how they encode spatial information.
5. Place cells work together with other types of spatially tuned cells, like grid cells, to create a comprehensive representation of an environment, essential for effective navigation.

Review Questions

• How do place cells contribute to the process of spatial navigation in mammals?
  • Place cells contribute to spatial navigation by providing a neural representation of specific locations in an environment. When these cells fire, they signal to the brain where the individual is situated, effectively helping to create a cognitive map. This allows mammals to navigate efficiently by recalling routes and recognizing their surroundings based on the activity of these specialized neurons.
• Discuss the relationship between place cells and cognitive maps in terms of memory and spatial awareness.
  • Place cells are essential for forming cognitive maps as they encode information about specific locations within an environment. These cognitive maps allow individuals to navigate through space by recalling where they have been. The interplay between place cell activity and cognitive mapping ensures that memories are not just stored abstractly but are tied to specific spatial contexts, enhancing both memory recall and spatial awareness.
• Evaluate how changes in the environment affect the firing patterns of place cells and what this indicates about their function in navigation.
  • Changes in the environment significantly influence the firing patterns of place cells, demonstrating their adaptability and role in spatial navigation. When an environment is altered—such as changes in landmarks or layout—place cells can reorganize their activity to correspond with the new spatial configuration. This flexibility indicates that place cells are not rigidly fixed but rather dynamic components of a broader navigational system, allowing organisms to adjust their cognitive maps and continue navigating effectively despite changes.

Related terms

hippocampus:

A brain region critical for memory formation and spatial navigation, where place cells are predominantly found.

cognitive map: A mental representation of physical locations and spatial relationships in an individual's environment, which is influenced by the activity of place cells.

grid cells:

Neurons in the entorhinal cortex that help with spatial navigation by providing a coordinate system, working alongside place cells to enhance spatial awareness.