Neuro 175 Exam 1

What is the scientific process in research?

It involves observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, data interpretation, and verification.

Define the reductionist approach in neuroscience.

It is a method that breaks down the brain into different levels of analysis, such as molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience.

What are the four essential steps in the scientific process?

Observation, replication, interpretation, and verification.

What does the molecular level of neuroscience study?

It studies the chemical processes occurring in the brain.

Describe the function of astrocytes in the brain.

Astrocytes clean the brain of leftover neurotransmitters, regulate extracellular concentrations, maintain the blood-brain barrier, and initiate inflammatory responses.

List the three Rs of ethical animal research.

Reduction, refinement, and replacement.

What happens to the resting membrane potential when oxygen is deprived?

The sodium-potassium pump cannot function, leading the resting membrane potential to go to 0.

Compare the Neuron Doctrine and Reticular Theory.

Neuron Doctrine states that neurons are individual units, while Reticular Theory posits that neurons are physically connected in a continuous network.

What is the resting membrane potential typically measured at?

Typically around -65mV.

What is the role of the sodium-potassium pump?

It maintains resting membrane potential by moving 3 Na+ ions out and 2 K+ ions in.

How does myelin affect the conduction velocity of neurons?

Myelin increases the conduction velocity, enabling faster action potentials through saltatory conduction.

What is synaptic integration?

The process of combining multiple synaptic inputs to produce a single output in a neuron.

Explain the difference between agonists and antagonists.

Agonists mimic the action of neurotransmitters, whereas antagonists block the receptor sites.

Describe the major neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh).

ACh is related to muscle contraction and cognition, synthesized by cholinergic neurons, and targeted by nerve agents.

What is the purpose of in situ hybridization?

It is used for mRNA tagging to study gene expression in specific tissues.

Define the term 'convergence' in neurotransmitter systems.

Convergence refers to multiple neurotransmitters or receptors influencing a single response.

What is the significance of equilibrium potential?

It defines the electrical potential across the membrane that precisely balances the concentration gradient for a specific ion.