Introduction Flashcards
Approaches to Studying Neuroscience: Regional Neurobiology
the study of structure and function of the anatomic parts of the nervous system
Approaches to Studying Neuroscience: Systems Neurobiology
the study of functional systems within the nervous system
Methods of Study-Structural Analysis:Lesions
damage in NS region + subsequent loss in function –> correlates structure with function
Methods of Study-Structural Analysis: Tracing
injecting visible molecule into the periphery which are taken up by local axons and transported to and fro from the cell body–> assess connections b/w nervous system regions
Methods of Study-Structural Analysis: Cytochemistry/histochemistry
general cell staining–> demonstrates size and distribution of neurons
Methods of Study-Structural Analysis: Immunocytochemistry
specific cell staining that utilizes antibodies to identify proteins–> demonstrates molecular distinctions of neurons
Methods of Study-Structural Analysis: Genetic engineering
insertion of a gene that codes for some visualizable substance into a neurons genome
Methods of Study-Structural Analysis: Brain imaging
Computerized Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)–>view brain structure
Methods of Study-Functional Analysis: Single-Cell or Single Unit Electrophysiological Recording
Placement of a microelectrode into a neuron or region neurons to record action potential activity
Methods of Study-Functional Analysis: Functional Brain Imaging
Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography, and Functional MRI–>view brain function based on local metabolism and to correlate structure with function
Methods of Study-What is the use of analyzing complex behaviors with functional brain imaging during well-designed behaviors?
To facilitate the identification of brain networks devoted to specific complex functions
Nerve Tissue
is composed of cells (neurons) that are specialized at conveying information and their support cells (glial)
Nerve Tissue-What is the Neuron doctrine (1891)
individual neurons serve as the signaling elements of the nervous system
Nerve Tissue-How many neurons are in the human body?
> 100 billion neurons that vary in size and shape
Nerve Tissue-How do neurons receive, process, and transport signals?
Neurons utilize electrical and chemical mechanisms
Nerve Tissue-What are electrical signals used for?
To convey information rapidly from one neuron to another
Nerve Tissue-What are chemical signals used for?
To carry information between part of one neuron and part of a second neuron or effector cell (via synapse)
Neurons-Why are neurons structured into regions?
So that organelles are distributed in a pattern that supports neuronal function
Neurons-Regions: Cell body
Contains the nucleus and surrounding cytoplasm, but does NOT include cell processes
