Key Concepts in Electrophysiology and Neurobiology

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Electrophysiology and Neurobiology for Exam 3 in NS BIOL 105.

Electrophysiology

The study of the electrical properties of neurons (and cells in general).

Extracellular electrode

Measures action potentials; the tip is located near the cell and can stimulate the neuron by passing current.

Intracellular electrode

Records electrical activity inside the cell.

Voltage clamp

A device that maintains the voltage at a given level to measure ionic current flow across the membrane.

Current clamp

Controls current flow to measure membrane potential (voltage) and stimulate action potentials.

Patch clamp

A highly sensitive voltage clamp method for measuring ionic currents through individual ion channels.

Synaptic strengthening

Involves the increase in number of receptors or vesicles full of neurotransmitter, along with greater synapse size.

Hebbian Learning

The principle that simultaneous activation of cells leads to increased synaptic strength between those cells.

Ocular dominance

Tendency to prefer visual input from one eye over the other.

Critical period

A restricted developmental period during which the brain is highly responsive to environmental stimuli.

Dendritic spine

A small membranous protrusion from a neuron's dendrite that typically receives input from a single axon synapse.

Adaptation

The reduction in firing of a neuron over time despite a constant input.

Habituation

The decrease in firing of a neuron over time due to repetition of an input.

Facilitation

The increase in firing of a neuron over time in response to a constant input.

Sensitization

The increase in firing of a neuron over time due to the repetition of an input.

Associative learning

Learning that occurs when an association is formed between two stimuli or a stimulus and a behavior.

Long Term Potentiation (LTP)

A persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.

Long Term Depression (LTD)

A persistent weakening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.

Senile plaques

Extracellular deposits of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in the gray matter of the brain, marker of Alzheimer's Disease.

Neurofibrillary tangle

Intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, commonly known as a marker of Alzheimer's Disease.

Kinase

An enzyme that phosphorylates other proteins, switching them on or off.

Lewy Body

Intracellular aggregates of protein notably α-synuclein, associated with Parkinson's disease.

NMDA Receptor (NMDAR)

A ligand-dependent AND voltage-sensitive ionotropic glutamate receptor that allows Ca++ ions entry.

Multisensory integration

The process by which information from multiple sensory modalities is integrated into a coherent percept.

Episodic memory

Memory of autobiographical events linked to times and places.

Semantic memory

Factual memory involving ideas and concepts not drawn from personal experience.

Working memory

Memories that are briefly held in mind to complete a task.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Implantation of an electrode to deliver electrical stimulation to a brain region.

Computerized Tomography (CT) scan

Imaging technique using x-rays from different angles to build an image of the brain or body.

Optogenetics

A technique combining genetic manipulation and optical stimulation to control specific cells.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Non-invasive brain stimulation using electromagnetic induction, inducing effects like visual phosphene.