Introduction Flashcards
Describe 3 breakthrough studies in neuroscience.
Imprinting - Konrad Lorenz on the greylag goose. Exposure during critical period causes young to follow mother or substitute.
Waggledance - Karl Von Frisch on the honeybee.Honeybees communicate direction of food source by a specific behaviour.
Sign Stimuli - Niko Tinbergen on the stickleback. A specific feature will trigger the release of an innate behaviour.
What are the ways in which physiology of nervous systems can be studied?
Electrophysiology - recording electrical activity.
Optical imaging - Voltage/calcium-sensitive dye
Brain scans.
What are the three types of brain scans that can be used to study physiology of nervous systems? Describe what each ca be used for.
NMR - Anatomy
PET - Activity
fMRI - Activity
How can the anatomy of nervous systems be studied/observed?
Staining of neurones:
Golgi stain
Backfilling
Intracellular filling
What is immunocytochemistry?
Study of specific biochemical components of nervous systems by using antibodies raised against the neurotransmitters.
How is molecular biology used to study nervous systems?
Examination and manipulation of gene expression allows to determine time and location at which the components of nervous systems are formed.
What does the theoretical study of nervous system involve?
Predictions based on computer models and theoretical analysis of behaviour.
Briefly describe the structure of the nervous system of Hydra.
Net-like
Briefly describe the structure of the nervous system of jellyfish.
Nerve rings
Briefly describe the structure of the nervous system of Flatworms.
Ladder-like
Briefly describe the structure of the nervous system of insects.
Simple networks
340,000 neurones in the brain.
Briefly describe the structure of the nervous system of humans.
Extreme cephalisation.
100,000,000,000 neurones in the brain.
How can behaviour of complex nervous systems be studied?
Simple behaviour can be studied on simple nervous systems and the principles can be applied to more complex systems.
What are the functional classes of neurones?
Sensory neurons
Motor neurons
Interneurons
Modulatory neurons
What are the types of sensory neurons? Give examples.
Exteroceptor - stimulated by external environment
Proprioceptor - carry positional/movement information about the body
e.g.:
Touch sensitive SN
Odour sensitive SN
What are the types of motor neurons? Give examples
Excitatory Inhibitory e.g.: Extensor MN Leg MN
What are the types of interneurons?
Sensory
Pre-motor
How are neurons classified morphologically?
According to shape, location and branching regions
What are the common shapes of neurons?
Bipolar
Multipolar
Give examples of neuron locations.
Cortical
Spinal
Metathoracic