Into + methods in modern neuroscience Flashcards

1
Q

What type of synapse is the most studied for memory formation?

A

Glutaminergic synapses
glutamate is excitatory + common in CNS
Binds to various receptors - particularly NMDA + AMPA

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2
Q

What is the principle inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS?

A

GABA

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3
Q

What is fMRI?

A

functional magnetic resonance imaging
measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow

is a good way of studying brain areas involved in visual processing
when neurons are active - need energy - brain areas need a lot of oxygen
is non-invasive

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4
Q

What does Nissl staining do?

A

stains the nucleus

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5
Q

What does Golgi staining do?

A

makes a small % of neurons darkly coloured
revealed the neuronal cell body

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6
Q

What was Cajals theory about neurons?

A

neurites of different axons are not continuous
they communicate from contact not continuity

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7
Q

How are enhancer traps used to study neurons?

A

contains transposable element + a reporter gene
Green fluorescent protein
allows to characterize individual neurons

Con:
does not allow staining of individual neurons
Cannot control what neuron you label
Cannot combine electrophysiology and morphology assessment for the same cell

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8
Q

What are sharp electrode recordings?

A

simplest form of electrophysiological recording
glass electrode/ capillary w/ very thin tip
micromanipulators used - precise movements - insert the electrode into the cell body into the soma
compare the difference in potential on different sides of the membrane

can detect action potentials - do analysis, frequency

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9
Q

What are the disadvantages of sharp electrode recordings?

A

no solution change inside or outside the cell
limited possibility for controlling membrane potential
cannot measure single channels

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10
Q

What is the patch clamp method ?

A

electrode with bigger hole used
bring electrode close to the membrane
when touch membrane - apply negative pressure - try to suck part of the membrane into the electrode
tight connection btwn the membrane and electrode
no ions can move

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11
Q

What are the 4 different types of patch clamp methods?

A
  • On-cell
  • Inside out
  • Whole cell
  • outside out
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12
Q

What is on-cell patch clamp?

A

cell attach
allows you to measure the activity of individual channels
if neurons generate action potential - will also measure ap

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13
Q

What is inside-out patch clamp?

A

remove the electrode - some part of the membrane remains
record individual ion channels - good control over solution inside cell
change solution around the electrode - mimic ECS

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14
Q

What is whole cell patch clamp?

A

apply a stringer negative pressure - break art of the membrane
record currents through the rest of the membrane
and set up specific membrane potential
change solution inside the electrode

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15
Q

What is outside out patch clamp?

A

the outer part of the membrane exposed
can change the solution in the outer part of the membrane
+ record activity in individual neurons

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16
Q

How does patch clamp allow to label neurons?

A

use dye called lucifer yellow
the dye will diffuse from the electrode into the cell
wait 30 min to 1 hour - able to label entire neuron
study morphology and electrophysiology in one experiment

Cons:
cannot label many cells
limited availability to label specific cell type
limited availability to label cellular components
limited availability for live labelling