ELM 9.1

Question 1

AMPA receptors are sodium selective glutamate-gated ion channels and NMDA receptors are sodium/calcium selective glutamate-gated ion channels. However, NMDA receptors are blocked by Mg2+ ions at the resting membrane potential. In order to relieve this block, AMPA receptors must first be activated and depolarise the membrane. This removes the Mg2+ ions from the NMDA receptors and allows calcium to enter the cell.

Answer 1

just read itlol

Question 2

A type of neuron that fires at high frequency when an animal is placed in a specific location is the:

a.	 Chief cell

b.	 Map cell

c.	 Place cell

d.	 Point cell

Answer 2

c

Place cells are hippocampal neurons that fire at a high rate whenever the animal is in a specific location in the environment, called the place field

Question 3

Memory is laid down in a specific sequence of events. In order, these are:

a.	 Encoding, Storage Stimulus

b.	 Encoding, Stimulus, Storage

c.	 Stimulus, Encoding, Storage

d.	 Stimulus, Storage, Encoding

Answer 3

c

Question 4

Which of the following is a characteristic of short term memory?

a.	 It can last several days

b.	 It has unlimited capacity

c.	 It requires synthesis of new proteins

d.	 It is sensitive to disruption

Answer 4

d

Short-term memory is vulnerable to disruption until it has been consolidated into long-term memory

Question 5

At synapses in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, entry of calcium via ligand-gated ion channels requires activation of:

a.	 AMPA receptors

b.	 NMDA receptors

c.	 AMPA and NMDA receptors

d.	 AMPA and NMDA receptors and Mg2+ channels

Answer 5

c

AMPA receptors are sodium selective glutamate-gated ion channels and NMDA receptors are sodium/calcium selective glutamate-gated ion channels. However, NMDA receptors are blocked by Mg2+ ions at the resting membrane potential. In order to relieve this block, AMPA receptors must first be activated and depolarise the membrane. This removes the Mg2+ ions from the NMDA receptors and allows calcium to enter the cell.

Question 6

The hippocampus is part of the:

a.	 basal ganglia

b.	 cerebellum

c.	 frontal lobes

d.	 limbic system

Answer 6

d

The hippocampus is part of the limbic system, located deep within the temporal lobe. It is involved in memory acquisition and is severely affected in Alzheimer’s disease.