Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching all send sensory information to the brain. According to the National Science Teachers Association's February 2011 Reports, "the brain is the only human organ largely dependent on subsequent experiences to determine when, where and how it develops." NSTA Reports goes on to say that simulations and representations are not substitutes for real-life experiences; however, they can help form knowledge if they follow real-life experiences.
According to USA Today, humans briefly store sensory data throughout the brain cortex. This information may go on to become short-term memory or long-term memory.
The brain transmits electrical signals through nerve cells that cause a release of chemicals across nerve synapses. NOVA, in the transcript of its show "Watch How Memory Works," says, "If only a few signals are sent, this transformation among a network of cells is temporary, resulting in a short-term memory."
The NOVA transcript of "Watch How Memory Works" explains that a permanent long-term memory can be formed by repeated signals and changes at the nerve synapses, resulting in anatomical changes in the brain. The hippocampus, part of the brain cortex, is responsible for sending the signal around the neural circuit many times, making the memory become long-term. USA Today goes on to say that after the neurons have been brought together in forming the long-term memory, the hippocampus is no longer necessary.
According to neuroscientist Andre Fenton in the August 2009 NOVA transcript, a chemical permanently connects neurons that were active together so that later, a memory can be recalled.
Memory recall is the result of activating stored neuron connections. This usually occurs as a result of new or recurring sensory data, according to USA Today.