Lecture 7

Question 1

Patch clamp method variants

Answer 1

1. Cell attached recording
2. Whole cell recording
3. Inside out recording
4. Outside out recording

Question 2

Cell attached recording

Answer 2

Only looks at one ion channel. Can reveal whether the ion channel is open or closed.

Question 3

Whole cell recording

Answer 3

This ruptures the cell membrane and provides the pipette access to the intracellular fluid of the cell. This allows the study of drugs and how they affect the cell.

Question 4

Inside out recording

Answer 4

This tears away a part of the membrane. This provides access to the intracellular part of the membrane

Question 5

Outside out recording

Answer 5

Same as the inside out recording but the external part of the membrane is placed on the outside.

Question 6

Voltage clamp

Answer 6

1. Internal electrode measures the membrane potential and is connected to an amplifier
2. Amplifier compares membrane potential to desired potential
3. If this differs then amplifier injects current into the axon through a second electrode.

Question 7

Relationship between single channel and whole cell recording

Answer 7

Gives characteristics of individual cells
Receptor population and dynamics

Question 8

From single cell to a network

Answer 8

• Characteristics of a cell within a network
• Effects of drugs on network
• Communication within the network

Question 9

Optegenetics

Answer 9

Inject substance into brain that affects neurons genes. They then become sensitive to channelrhodopsin2 which activates cell when light hits it. Halorhodopsin works the same but inhibits neurons.

Question 10

Place cells

Answer 10

Cells in rat hippocampus that activate when they are in a certain place