Final Answer:
Learning and memory are thought to be due to a synaptic phenomenon known as "Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)."
Step-by-step explanation:
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) is a synaptic phenomenon widely implicated in learning and memory processes in the brain. It involves the long-lasting increase in the strength of synaptic connections between neurons, particularly in response to repeated stimulation. During LTP, there is an enhancement of neurotransmitter release and an increase in the responsiveness of the postsynaptic neuron. These changes contribute to the establishment of persistent neural circuits, strengthening the communication between neurons associated with specific learning experiences. LTP is considered a cellular mechanism underlying memory formation, providing a molecular basis for the synaptic changes associated with the encoding and storage of information in the brain.