What distinguishes long-term memory from short-term memory?

Long-term memory is characterized by its ability to store information for an extended period, potentially for a lifetime. This ability to retain memories over time is what fundamentally distinguishes it from short-term memory, which typically holds information temporarily—often for just seconds to minutes—and has a limited capacity. Long-term memory can accommodate a vast amount of information, making it crucial for learning and recollecting experiences, knowledge, and skills over a person's lifetime.

In contrast to short-term memory, which relies on immediate recall and is sensitive to distraction and loss of information, long-term memory functions through more complex processes, including the encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of information, enabling it to maintain and organize vast amounts of data.