Chapter 6_Methods of Neuroscience Flashcards
Resolution
The ability to distinguish two points as separate in an image or measurement, important in imaging techniques to determine the level of detail visible.
Spatial resolution
The ability to distinguish small details in an image, crucial for understanding the structure of the brain.
Temporal resolution
The precision of a measurement with respect to time, important for capturing dynamic changes in brain activity.
In vivo
Experiments conducted on living organisms, allowing for the study of complex interactions within the whole organism.
In vitro
Experiments conducted outside of a living organism, in a controlled environment such as a petri dish or test tube, allowing for detailed study of specific components.
Ex vivo
Experiments conducted on tissue from a living organism, such as brain slices, allowing for the study of specific parts of the nervous system in a controlled environment.
Model organisms
Non-human species that are extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries will provide insight into the workings of other organisms.
WEIRD subjects
Acronym for Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic, referring to the demographic bias in psychology and neuroscience research.
Phrenology
A now-discredited theory that specific mental abilities and characteristics are localized in specific regions of the brain and can be determined by the shape of the skull.
Localization of function
The concept that specific parts of the brain are responsible for specific functions, a foundational principle in neuroscience.
Computerized tomography scan (CT scan or CAT scan)
An imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body, often used to diagnose brain injuries and other medical conditions.
CLARITY
A technique that makes biological tissues transparent, allowing for detailed imaging of cellular structures and connections.
Franz Gall
The founder of phrenology, who proposed that different brain areas are responsible for specific personality traits and mental abilities.
Paul Broca
A neurologist who discovered Broca’s area, a region in the frontal lobe associated with speech production.
Tracer
A substance used to track the movement of molecules within the body, often used in imaging techniques like PET scans.
Fluorodeoxyglucose-F18
A radioactive glucose analog used in PET scans to measure metabolic activity in tissues, including the brain.
Blood oxygenation level-dependent signal (BOLD)
The signal measured by fMRI that reflects changes in blood oxygen levels, used to infer brain activity.
Microscopy
The use of microscopes to visualize small structures, essential for studying the detailed anatomy of the nervous system.
Green fluorescent protein (GFP)
A protein that fluoresces green when exposed to light, used as a marker to visualize and track cellular processes.
Staining
Techniques used to enhance the contrast of microscopic images by adding color to specific components of tissues or cells.
Golgi stain
A method used to visualize neurons in their entirety by impregnating them with silver chromate, allowing for the detailed study of their morphology.
Paraformaldehyde (PFA)
A fixative used in tissue preparation for microscopy, preserving the structure of cells and tissues.
Perfusion
The process of delivering a fixative (like PFA) to tissues through the bloodstream, commonly used in animal studies to prepare tissues for microscopic analysis.
Immunohistochemistry staining
A technique that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue sections, allowing for the visualization of the distribution and localization of target molecules in the nervous system.
Antibodies
Proteins produced by the immune system that bind to specific antigens, used in various research and diagnostic techniques.
Secondary antibody
An antibody that binds to the primary antibody, often conjugated to a fluorophore or enzyme for detection in immunohistochemistry.
Fluorophore
A fluorescent molecule used to label proteins or other molecules in biological research, allowing for visualization under a fluorescence microscope.
Electrophysiology (Ephys)
The study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues, including techniques such as EEG, MEG, and single-cell recordings.
Luigi Galvani
A scientist known for his work on bioelectricity, demonstrating that muscles and nerves produce electrical activity.
Alan Hodgkin and Andrew Huxley
Scientists who developed the Hodgkin-Huxley model, describing the ionic mechanisms underlying the initiation and propagation of action potentials in neurons.
Computational neuroscience
The field of study that uses mathematical models, theoretical analysis, and computer simulations to understand the function of the nervous system.
Humanized mice
Genetically modified mice that carry human genes, tissues, or cells, used to study human disease and treatment in a living organism.
Knock-in mice
Genetically engineered mice in which specific genes have been inserted to study their function and role in development, physiology, and behavior.
CRISPR-Cas9
A genome editing technology that allows for precise modifications to DNA, enabling the study of gene function and the development of disease models.
Chemogenetics
A technique that uses engineered receptors and specific chemicals to control neuron activity, allowing for the modulation of neuronal circuits.
Channelrhodopsin
A light-sensitive ion channel used in optogenetics to control the activity of neurons with light.
