NEUR 4803 motor

Autoclave

A sanitation device used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high-pressure saturated steam.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A device that rapidly amplifies a specific segment of DNA through repeated cycles of heating and cooling.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method that separates DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size and charge by running them through a gel under an electric field.

Perfusion

The process of circulating blood or a blood substitute through tissues or organs to maintain their viability.

Cell/Neuron Culture

Growing cells or neurons in a controlled environment, such as a petri dish, for research purposes.

Transfection

The deliberate introduction of foreign genetic material into eukaryotic cells.

Cryostat

A device used to cut thin sections of frozen tissue for microscopic analysis.

Immunostaining

A technique that uses fluorescent dyes to visualize specific proteins in cells or tissues.

RNA in situ Hybridization

A method to detect and localize specific RNA sequences within cells using fluorescent probes.

Calcium Imaging

A microscopy technique that measures intracellular calcium levels using fluorescent calcium indicators like GCaMP.

Electrophysiology

The study of the electrical properties of biological systems, including the measurement of action potentials.

Voltage Clamp

An experimental method to measure ion currents by holding the membrane potential at a constant level.

Patch Clamp

A technique using a glass pipette to study ion channels and currents in cells.

CT

Computed Tomography, a medical imaging technique that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional images of the body.

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a non-invasive imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize internal structures in 3D.

fMRI

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a method that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygen levels.

PET

Positron Emission Tomography, a nuclear imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to visualize metabolic processes.

EEG/MEG

Techniques to measure brain activity by recording electrical signals (EEG) or magnetic fields (MEG) generated by neurons.

Model Organisms

Non-human species used in research to study biological processes and diseases.

RNA Interference

A method to silence gene expression by degrading specific mRNA molecules.

Knockout Animal

An animal model in which a specific gene has been permanently deleted to study its function.

Ablation

The removal or destruction of tissue, such as neurons, for experimental purposes.

Cre

A recombinase enzyme used in genetic engineering to catalyze DNA recombination at specific sites (loxP).

Optogenetics

A technique that uses light to control the activity of specific neurons expressing light-sensitive proteins.

Motor Unit

A motor neuron and the muscle fibers it innervates, functioning as a single unit.

Alpha/Lower Motor Neurons

Motor neurons that directly innervate skeletal muscles to control movement.

Neuromuscular Junctions (NMJ)

The synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber, where acetylcholine is released to initiate muscle contraction.

Motor Unit Recruitment

The process of activating different motor units to control muscle force.

Motor Unit Rate Modulation

Adjusting the firing rate of motor units to regulate muscle contraction strength.

Interneuron

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons, facilitating communication within the nervous system.

Muscle stretch reflex

A rapid and involuntary response to muscle stretch, involving sensory neurons and motor neurons.

Automatic Postural Response

A reflexive mechanism that maintains balance and posture by adjusting muscle activity.

Pre-Frontal Cortex

Brain region responsible for abstract thinking, decision-making, and anticipating consequences of actions.

Posterior Parietal Cortex

Brain region involved in planning movements and spatial awareness, integrating sensory information.

Neocortex

The outer layer of the cerebral cortex responsible for higher cognitive functions like attention, perception, and memory.

Supplemental Motor Area (SMA)

Brain region involved in planning complex movements of the limbs on the opposite side of the body.

Premotor Cortex (PMA)

Brain region that prepares and executes limb movements by coordinating with other brain areas.

Primary Motor Cortex (M1)

Brain region responsible for initiating voluntary movements and sending signals to motor neurons.

Motor Cortex

A collective term for brain regions involved in planning and executing voluntary movements, including M1, PMA, and SMA.

Cerebellum

Brain region important for coordinating movement timing and error correction to ensure movement accuracy.

Basal Ganglia

Brain structures involved in selecting and initiating appropriate muscle movements.