Final Review Flashcards
viral vector
genetic information packaged into a virus and injected into targetted brain regions
PKU
lacks the enzyme to convert phenylalanine to tyrosine, tyrosine is turned to L-DOPA then converted to dopamine
phenylalanine buildup is toxic, causing mental disabilities
diet that avoids phenylalanine and tyrosine supplements are used to treat
down syndrome
3 copies of chromosome 21
epigenetics - methylation vs acetylation
methylation - tightens wrap
acetylation - loosens the wrap of DNA around histones
example: mice pups
LTP
calcium entrance can strengthen synapse through LTP, more AMPA gets docked, letting in more Glutamate
2 ways:
- NMDA - Ca - CaMKII - phosphorylation of proteins
- Protein Kinase A (PKA) - CREB phosphorylation at DNA - alters gene expression (leads to plasticity related proteins)
opposite: LTD
Doogie Mouse
overexpressed GluN2B subunits since the receptors can stay open for a longer time
positive vs negative eugenics
postivie - promoting high reproduction of humans with “good” genes
negative - promoting removal of “bad” genes
dopamine
binds to dopamine receptors (GPCR, 5 types)
norepinephrine
binds to noradrenergic (a GPCR) and other types
epinephrine
aka adrenaline
binds to epinephrine receptors (on vagus nerve, like for flashbulb memory)
glutamate
binds to glutamate receptors (AMPA and NMDA)
GABA
binds GABA receptors
estradiol
an estrogen
binds to estrogen receptors (steroid hormone receptors)
testosterone
binds to androgen receptors (steroid hormone receptors)
glucocorticoids
bind glucocorticoids receptors GPCR
primary vs secondary sex characteristics
primary - anatomical, physical traits
secondary - changes to anatomy, physical traits, etc related to puberty
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
sex chromosome XX
adrenal gland doesn’t produce cortisol, making it larger
adrenal gland produces excess testosterone, masculinizing development
develops with male or ambiguous sex characteristics
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)
sex chromosome XY
tissue not responsive to androgens like testosterone
complete AIS: develops female sex characteristics but infertile due to mullerian system not developing well
incomplete AIS: develops with some ambiguity in sex characteristics
fast stress response
Sympathetic Adrenomedullary System
sympathetic nervous system
v
adrenal medulla releases
secretion of epinephrine & norepinephrine
slow stress response
HPA axis
hypothalamus releases CRH
v
Anterior Pituitary releases ACTH
v
secretion of glucosteroids (cortisol, aldosterone) from adrenal cortex
flashbulb memory
epinephrine enters vagus nerve
drives LC to release norepinephrine into the BLA
Norepinephrine binds to GPCR and activates PKA
PKA phosphorylates CREB
alters gene expression
plasticity related proteins
problems of chronic stress
compromised immune system
affects cardiovascular health
affects cognition and memory
behavioral issues
negative reinforcement theory of addiction
taking drugs to counteract withdrawal symptoms
positive reinforcement theory of addiction
taking drugs for the euphoric feeling
incentive-sensitization theory of addiction
MTDS (VTA to Nac in ventral striatum) activated in anticipation for reward (stimuli associated with drugs, gambling, etc)
MTDS become sensitized to drugs and the stimuli associated with it
central dogma
DNA transcribes (information storage)
mRNA translates (information carrier)
proteins change gene expression (activates cell machinery)
3 basic assumptions of sex and gender essentialism
- there is little to no variation in traits or behaviors within a sex or gender group
- differences between sexes or genders are discrete- they do not overlap substantially in traits
- internal factors such as genes are the best explanation for all forms of variation within and between sex or gender groups
drug actions
alcohol - binds to receptor subunit (GABAa)
naloxone - blocks receptor
methamphetamine - pushes neurotransmitters out of vesicles
cocaine - reuptake inhibitor
heroin - direct action on receptor
three ways to alter gene expression
- epigenetics (acetylation loosens, methylation tightens and restricts access)
- steroid hormones binding to a receptor site in the DNA (upregulate or downregulate transcription)
- Ligand binding a GPCR that leads to activation of PKA that phosphorylates CREB in the CRE site in DNA (upregulates)
medication for anxiety and stress
GABA agonists (makes EPSP more likely, creating more AP
GPCR (G-protein coupled receptor)
- dopamine (dopamine receptor)
- norepinephrine (noradrenergic receptor)
- glucocorticoid (glucocorticoid receptor)
GABA Receptor
- GABA
- GABAa (ionotropic, alcohol binds there)
steroid hormone receptors
- testosterone (androgen receptor)
- estradiol (type of estrogen) (estrogen receptor
mice pup example
licking behavior of the mothers affected the methyl groups near the GR gene, and acetylation and demethylation made the GR gene in the DNA more accessible for transcription
resulted in increased expression of GR gene which increased the ability to manage stress, or turn off the HPA axis. stress response
