Behavioral Neuroscience Flashcards
What are the types of Behavioral Neuroscience Research methods?
- Histology
- Autopsy
- Imaging
- Recoding
- Brain Stimulation
- Lesion
- Biochemical Methods
- Genetic Methods
What is the purpose of Histology?
it provides the means for observing structures, organization and connection of individual cells
(refers to the study of microscopic structures and tissues)
What is the downside of Fluorescent Microscopy?
the specimen does now emit fluorescence indefinitely therefore, you have to work quickly
Describe Fluorescent Microscopy
works by labelling a specimen with a particular fluorophore, a chemical that emits light when excited by light. the specimen is then illuminated with a different wavelength, which causes it to emit fluorescence that is then analyzed
Describe Electron Microscopy
uses beam of electrons rather than beams of visible light to illuminate a specimen.
because electrons have much shorter wavelengths than photons, resolution is much improved.
it allows us to see features as small as a single molecule of neurochemical
List 2 differences of Light Microscopy and Electron Microscopy
light microscopy:
- illuminating source is the light
- specimen preparation takes usually few minutes to hours.
electron microscopy:
- illuminating source is the beam of electrons
- specimen preparation takes usually takes few days
What is the downside of Electron Microscopy?
it cannot be used on living cells. Specimens require dehydration and chemical treatments that are incompatible with life
What are the two methods of Tissue Fixation?
- freeze the tissue
- treat it with formalin, a liquid containing the gas formaldehyde
These methods will harden the tissue to make it possible to slice it.
Preserve the tissue from breaking down by enzymes or bacteria
How does Microtome Machine works?
a tissue is pushed forward while a sliding blade moves back and forth across the tissue, producing slices. other microtomes use a vibrating knife, similar to that of your electrical toothbrush.
these are particularly useful when sectioning tissue that is not frozen.
List and describe the different types of specialized stains
Golgi stain:
To make a detailed structural analysis of a small number of single cells
Nissl stain:
Interested in identifying clusters of cell bodies, the major bulk of the nerve cell, within a sample of tissue
Myelin stain:
Allow you to follow pathways carrying information from one part of the brain to another by staining the insulating material that covers many nerves fibres
Horseradish peroxidase:
If you know where the pathway ends but would like to discover its point of origin
When this enzyme is injected into the end of the nerve fibre, it travels backward toward the cell body
What are the different types of Imaging
- CT
- PET
- MRI (fMRI, DTI)
What are the disadvantages of CT scan
only provides with structural information. therefore, it is unable to discriminate between active and inactive regions of the brain
individuals have to undergo repeated exposure to x-rays –> increase the risk of getting cancer
Describe the procedures of conducting a PET scan
Our brain uses two primary nutrients to produce neuro-signals to communicate - glucose and oxygen
An individual will be injected with a radioactive substance that will be tagging on to the glucose/oxygen
When the two nutrients are used, it will then show up under the PET scan. This allows us to know that a certain areas are active while doing a particular task as they are utilizing a lot more glucose and oxygen
What is the main difference of PET and CT scans?
CT scans look at the structure whereas PET scans look at the function
How does MRI provide structure images of your brains?
through magnetism and radiofrequency (RF)
