Experimental Methods in Neurobiology

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to experimental methods in neurobiology.

Electrophysiology

The study of electrical properties of biological cells and tissues.

Gene Therapy

Manipulation of genetic expression to treat or prevent diseases.

Model Organisms

Living organisms used to study biological processes and test hypotheses.

Anatomical Tracers

Substances used to map the connections between different areas of the nervous system.

Optogenetics

A technique that uses light to control neurons that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imaging technique that uses strong magnets to generate detailed images of organs and tissues within the body.

fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imaging technique that measures and maps brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Extracellular Recording

A method that measures action potentials of neurons by placing electrodes outside the cell.

Intracellular Recording

A method that involves impaling a cell with a sharp electrode to measure all types of electrical potentials.

Patch Clamp

A technique in electrophysiology that allows the study of ion currents in individual living cells.

Anterograde Tracing

A method used to trace the projection of neurons from their origin to their termination.

Retrograde Tracing

A method used to trace back the pathways of neurons from their termination to their origin.

Rabies Retrovirus

A modified virus used as a monosynaptic tracer in neuroscience research.

Channelrhodopsin

A light-sensitive ion channel that opens in response to blue light.

Halorhodopsin

A light-sensitive ion channel that is activated by yellow light.