1. Research Methods

Question 0

How can a tissue sample be fixed for study?

Answer 0

Freezing or hardening using chemicals or gases.

Question 1

What is histology?

Answer 1

The study of microscopic tissues.

Question 2

What is used to thinly slice the tissue for viewing?

Answer 2

A microtome

Question 3

What is the use of a Golgi silver stain?

Answer 3

Viewing cell bodies.

Question 4

What is the use of a myelin stain?

Answer 4

Viewing cell pathways (axons)

Question 5

What is the use of the horseradish peroxidase enzyme?

Answer 5

Finding the source (cell body) of an axon.

Question 6

What is a CT scan and how does it function?

Answer 6

Computerized tomography. X-ray. Still pictures.

Question 7

What is a PET scan and how does it function?

Answer 7

Positron emission tomography. Gamma tracers, radiation, gamma camera.

Question 8

What is an MRI and how does it function?

Answer 8

Magnetic resonance imaging machine. Magnets detects changes in the spin of hydrogen atoms. Still pictures.

Question 9

What is an fMRI and how does it function?

Answer 9

Functional Magnetic resonance imaging. Detects oxygen using magnets.

Question 10

What is a nissl stain?

Answer 10

Used to examine clusters of cell bodies.

Question 11

What is the BOLD effect?

Answer 11

Blood oxygenation level dependent. Signals from voxels in an fMRI are dependent on levels of oxygen found in the brain.

Question 12

What is an EEG and how does it function?

Answer 12

An electroencephalogram measures electrical fluctuations (activity) in the brain using a volt meter.

Question 13

What is an evoked potential?

Answer 13

An evoked potential is a change in the electrical activity of the brain in response to something. It differentiates between the constant fluctuations of the brain and brain activity as a result of a response to change.

Question 14

What is an MEG and how does it function?

Answer 14

Magnetoencheohalography records the magnetic output of the brain using SQUIDs (superconducting quantum inference devices).

Question 15

What are the advantages and disadvantages to an MEG over an EEG?

Answer 15

Less interference, quiet.

More expensive, requires more training for technician to operate.

Question 16

Who made the first EEG recording?

Answer 16

Hans Berger

Question 17

How do Single cell recordings function?

Answer 17

By implanting tiny microelectrodes directly into the area of interest.

Question 18

What is rTMS and how does it function?

Answer 18

Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation. Magnetic pulses delivered all over the head in order to stimulate the cortex.

Question 19

What is microdialysis?

Answer 19

Introducing or removing fluids fluids/neurotransmitters from the brain in order to assess chemical composition.

Question 20

What is a knockout animal in terms of genetic research?

Answer 20

A knockout animal is one where a gene sequence has been turned off by being replaced with a non-functioning gene in order to study the effects of that gene on the brain and behaviour.

Question 21

What is the specific function of a gene?

Answer 21

To produce proteins in the body according to the gene sequence

Question 22

What is a stem cell?

Answer 22

An undifferentiated cell which can divide and differentiate into other types of cells.

Question 23

What is the purpose of stem cell research?

Answer 23

To grow replacement cells and tissues for repairing damage.

Question 24

What is the purpose of twin and adoption studies?

Answer 24

To study the contributions of genetic and environmental factors on behaviour.