2&3 - Methods in modern neuroscience

Question 1

What is the “Monroe Einstein” illusion?

Answer 1

A psychophysical method that shows that high and low spatial resolution pathways alter object recognition.

Question 2

What are FMRIs useful for?

Answer 2

Studying brain areas involved in visual processing.

Question 3

What does Cajal staining show?

Answer 3

Fine details, eg dendrite structures etc

Question 4

What does Golgi staining show?

Answer 4

Sparse labelling of individual neurons allowing us to characterise the morphology of the neurons.

Question 5

What is normally used instead of sharp electrode recordings due to many disadvantages?

Answer 5

the patch clamp method.

Question 6

What can we do to observe both morphology and electrophysiology in one experiment?

Answer 6

Inject a fluorescent dye (Lucifer Yellow)

Question 7

What non invasive technique can be used to measure the activity of individual neurons?

Answer 7

Green Fluorescence Protein

Question 8

How does green fluorescence protein function?

Answer 8

It’s stimulated by blue light and emits a green light.

Question 9

What are 3 things needed for a functional microscope?

Answer 9

• Excitation filter
• Emission filter
• Dichroic Mirror

Question 10

What makes up GCaMP the GFP based calcium indictor?

Answer 10

The fusion of GFP and 2 calcium binding proteins.

Question 11

What happens to the 2 proteins in the presence of calcium?

Answer 11

They interact