NEU Quiz 4/6 - Hearing and Plasticity

Question 1

Neuroplasticity and Synaptic strength definiton

Answer 1

Ability of brain to form or change synaptic connections
- Our brain’s ability to change with experience
- Do not have static brains, can alter connections
- Synaptic plasticity leads to changes in circuit function
- Observed at both Pre and Postsynaptic (number of receptors that NT binds to can change, and how long ion channels stay open) locations

Number of neurons don’t change after born but explosion of synapses that you can refine over your lifetime

Synaptic strength: Average amount of voltage produced in a postsynaptic neuron by an AP in a presynaptic neuron. Takes less input from pre to have a response in the post. Way to increase the amount of action potential in the post.

Question 2

Various temporal components of synaptic plasticity, long vs short

Answer 2

Short term
- Seconds to minutes
- Post-translational modification of existing proteins (add a group like methylation to make it an active protein)

Long term
- Hours to days to years
- Changes in gene expression (increase of transcription)
- Protein synthesis
- Growth of new synapses

Question 3

In mammals, what is the typical brain area that is studied when examining synaptic plasticity? Why is this a particularly interesting area? How, in a brain slice with this area present, do researchers elicit long term potentiation?

Answer 3

Synaptic plasticity is change that occurs at synapses, the junctions between neurons that allow them to communicate.

Process by which neuronal activity results in changes in the strength of connections between neurons, and it is important for learning and memory within the hippocampus

Long-term plasticity can bidirectionally modify synaptic strength—either enhancing (LTP, long-term potentiation) or depressing (LTD, long-term depression).

Hippocampus Functions: Role in memory (spatial, facts, events) (episodic memory) AND role in learning — Spatial navigation → place cells
Dentate gyrus and olfactory bulb → new neurons can possibly be made here –> Excite a pathway to elicit a long term potentiation

C1 measure changes in synaptic strength

Easy circuit to manipulate and examine changes in synaptic strength

Neuronal plasticity is frequently studied in “hippocampal slices”

In such slices, several intra-hippocampal circuits remain intact

Question 4

In layman’s terms, what is Donald Hebb’s rule?

Answer 4

Cells that fire together, wire together” and, more formally, “any two cells or systems of cells that are repeatedly active at the same time will tend to become ‘associated,’ so that activity in one facilitates activity in the other”.

When an axon of cell A is near enough to excite a cell B and repeatedly or persistently takes part in firing it, some growth process or metabolic change takes place in one or both cells such that A’s efficiency, as one of the cells firing B, is increased.
More simply: Neurons that fire together, wire together
Cell A and Cell B is strengthen together

Question 5

Glutamate Receptors and Mechanism of LTP Initiation

Answer 5

AMPA (open active state) - glutamate binds
Ionotropic
Ligand gated
Allows Na+/K+ to pass
Causing depolarization whenever AMPA is open

NMDA - glutamate binds
Ionotropic
Ligand AND voltage gated
Mg2+ blocks
Allows Na+/Ca2/K+ to pass
Membrane needs to become positive enough to repel the magnesium block
Calcium - intracellular second messenger leads to increase in gene transcription

Because magnesium ions are dislodged from the NMDA receptor’s pore when the postsynaptic cell is strongly depolarized

Easier for postsynaptic cell to be depolarized and unblocks magnesium from the NMDA receptor more quickly and that increase depolarization to where you could reach reach threshold for a AP in a postsynaptic cell more easily

When neurotransmitter molecules bind to receptors in the plasma membrane of the receiving neuron, the receiving neuron becomes more negative inside. the receiving neuron becomes more positive inside. ion channels in the plasma membrane of the sending neuron open.

Question 6

dendrites

Answer 6

Effect of Glutamate release on dendritic spines of postsynaptic neurons
LTP → Increase spine growth

The stabilization of LTP requires protein synthesis
At least some of this protein synthesis may occur in the dendrites, as suggested by the presence of dendritic ribosomes

Dendritic protein synthesis is needed for hippocampal LTP
Blocking protein synthesis with emetine blocks LTP stabilization but not its induction

Question 7

What is necessary to elicit long-lasting LTP?

Answer 7

Long-term sensitization requires the transcription factor CREB
- Transcription Factor = protein that helps start transcription
- CREB activated after serotonin received
- CREB binds CRE near various genes (DNA)
- New proteins made: increase axon terminal size AND sprout new synapses
- Lasts hours-days

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is a process by which synaptic connections between neurons become stronger with frequent activation. LTP is thought to be a way in which the brain changes in response to experience, and thus may be an mechanism underlying learning and memory.

Question 8

The type of receptor that is critical for the induction of hippocampal LTP, admitting calcium into a dendritic spine, is called a(n)

Answer 8

NMDA receptor

Question 9

Which statement about LTP is false?

LTP involves an enhancement in synaptic efficacy that can last for hours, days, weeks or even longer.

If one synapse (A) is very strongly stimulated (sufficient to cause LTP), and another nearby synapse (B) on the same dendrite is weakly stimulated at the same time, then the second synapse (B) will also show LTP.

If one synapse (A) is very strongly stimulated (sufficient to cause LTP), and a nearby synapse (B) on the same cell is weakly stimulated a few seconds later, then the second synapse (B) will also show LTP.

The requirement for coincident pre- and postsynaptic activity was predicted by Donald Hebb in 1949.

Answer 9

If one synapse (A) is very strongly stimulated (sufficient to cause LTP), and a nearby synapse (B) on the same cell is weakly stimulated a few seconds later, then the second synapse (B) will also show LTP.

Question 10

Which molecule binds NMDA receptors and prevents the flow of ions at resting and hyperpolarized membrane potentials?

Answer 10

Glutamate

Question 11

What is the immediate consequence of Mg2+ blockade removal from the NMDA receptors?

Answer 11

Ca2+ influx into the post synaptic terminal

Question 12

LTP represents a lasting increase in the size of EPSP

Answer 12

following a high frequency train of stimuli

Question 13

Which condition(s) must be met to induce LTP?

Answer 13

Glutamate must be released from the presynaptic terminal.

Glutamate must open the postsynaptic AMPA receptors.

The postsynaptic membrane must be depolarized for a period of time.

Mg2+ block must be expelled from NMDA receptors to allow Ca2+ influx.

Question 14

What triggers LTD

Answer 14

Low frequency stimulation followed by slow or small increase in Ca2+

Question 15

Which mechanism used in hippocampal LTD is not part of the hippocampal LTP mechanism

Answer 15

Calcium dependent activation of protein phosphatases

Question 16

What would happen if Mg2+ was not expelled from NMDA channels?

Answer 16

LTP would not occur

Question 17

What is the mechanism of LTP expression?

Answer 17

Increase in the number of postsynaptic AMPA receptors

Question 18

which brain area is important for memory?

Answer 18

hippocampus

Question 19

What are the two main qualities of sound? How are they measured?

Answer 19

Sounds are audible variations in air pressure. Properties are frequency and amplitude. Units are Hertz (Hz) which is cycles per second. Pitch is determined by frequency. Intensity/amplitude determines loudness.

Sound waves have frequency; that is, the pitch of sounds goes up or down. The amplitude of a sound determines its volume (loudness). Tone is a measure of the quality of a sound wave.

Question 20

Outer ear

Answer 20

Outer ear:
Auricle: Funnels sound wave
External auditory meatus: Connects auricle with eardrum, Contains cerumen from ceruminous glands (earwax), Wax traps foreign bodies and repels insects, Carries sound to eardrum
Tympanic Membrane : Eardrum, Between outer and middle ear, Vibrates in response to sound waves

Question 21

Order of Events in Hearing

Answer 21

1. Sound wave travels through external auditory meatus (ear canal)
2. Tympanic membrane vibrates (ear drum)
3. Auditory ossicles vibrate – (transferring sound from air medium to liquid medium –> increase the power of the sound)
4. Stapes vibrates oval window, causing vibration of fluid
5. Frequencies that are outside of our hearing end up traveling all the way through the cochlea and not activating any hair cells
6. Frequencies within the hearing range activate specific parts of the pathway –> sound waves of high freq maximally cause vibration/movement of the base of the basilar membrane. Sound waves of low freq maximally cause vibration/movement of the apex of the b.m.
7. Basilar membrane movement causes the organ of corti (has the hair cells) to move upward, this upward movement causes the hair cells to move/shear against the tectorial membrane
8. The stereocilia, which are stuck into the tectorial membrane, are bent towards the tallest stereocilium at the peak waveform
9. Bending of the stereocilia causes the tip links to stretch, opening in the hMET channels (mechanically gated cation channels)
10. K+ and Ca2+ enter through the channels on the stereocilia, depolarizing the membrane (K+ is high in endolymph,
    enters stereocilia with its conc gradient)
11. VG calcium channels in the hair cell body open, calcium rushes in, vesicles fuse with membrane
12. (AT THE SAME TIME: K+ in the hair cell body leaves with its concentration gradient (which is low extacell in the
    perilymph) through the K+ leak channels located in the cell body)
13. Glutamate is released onto the peripheral process of the spiral ganglion cell
14. If reaches threshold, spiral ganglion cell sends action potentials through auditory nerve
15. Auditory n –> ventral cochlear n. –> left and right SOC –> left and right inferior colliculus –> left and right medial geniculate nucleus –> left and right A1

Question 22

Cochlea: Organ of Corti
inner ear

Answer 22

receptor of the ear and does electrical impulses
Within scala media → has organ of corti in this chamber
Sits on basilar membrane
Vibration of membrane moves hair cells
Hair cells = sensory/afferent receptors for sound
Inner afferent send signals to brain
Efferent help sculpt activity
Stereocilia – stick out of top of cells
Connected by tip links – open/close channels

Question 23

Primary Auditory Cortex – A1 is major target at ascending axons from MGN with conscious sound perception and recognition of speech sound and music

Answer 23

Primary Auditory Cortex also called core region

Superior gyrus of temporal lobe
Tonotopically organized - bundles
Receives information from both ears

Question 24

What structure within the inner ear contains the auditory receptors? What membrane does it sit on

Answer 24

Organ of Corti, sits on the basilar membrane and covered by tectorial membrane.

Question 25

Hair Cells and Signal Transduction – Changing waves to electric impulses

actual hair cells are identical

hair cells converting physical stimuli

Answer 25

k can depo and hypo in hair which is diff from norm bc soidum deop and k hypo also mechically gated imporant

Inner hair cells (IHCs) and Outer hair cells (OHCs)
- Stereocilia “stuck” in tectorial membrane and are tugged on when moved - move when basical membrane moves below them
- Stereocilia surrounded by endolymph – HIGH K+
- Has high extracellular potassium
- Hair cell bodies surrounded by perilymph – LOW K+
Mechanically gated channels its ripping open door when bending towards

Signal Transduction – Changing waves to electric impulses
Waves move basilar + tectorial membranes
Hair cells vibrate – stereocilia bend
- Tip links open K+ and Ca2+ channels
- K+ and Ca2+ ENTER - depolarizes hair cells
- Glutamate released to spiral ganglion cells
- Hair cells repolarize
RMP between -60mv and -45mv
Depolarize towards tallest
Hyperpolarize away
Hair cells do not AP because it is such a short distance but still make a release neurotransmitters to reach calismu channels to release gulmate

Question 26

Frequency & Pitch; Amplitude and Loudness

sound indcies mechanical movement of the BM leading to bending of hair cells sterocilia

BM - stiffer and thinner and shows maximal defelction at high frequencies

hair location on BM

Answer 26

High Pitch = High frequency
Base of cochlea - thiner

Low Pitch = Low frequency
Apex of cochlea - Flobby and wider

Increased intensity
Increased amplitude of wave
Increased loudness
Starts more APs in frequency zone

Question 27

Which structure(s) connect(s) adjacent stereocilia?

Answer 27

Tip links which is in the inner ear

more looud sound = greater bending of stereocilia

Question 28

Which ion and direction of flow is responsible for depolarization of inner hair cells?

Answer 28

Potassium into the cell

repolrization is K out

Question 29

A human’s perception of pitch corresponds to the _ of a sound wave; perception of loudness corresponds to the _ of a sound wave.

which charcateristcs of sound do we increase or dcrease the number of action potientals sent based on input?

Answer 29

frequency; amplitude

amplitude increase and intenstsiy - louder the more shakes BM when bends hair cells twards techtorial more which means more depolrization bc more potassium so more
glutamate

frequency is location

Question 30

What is the difference between the endolymph and perilymph?

Answer 30

Endolymph sterostillia is high in potassium and low in sodium; perilymph hair cell body is high in sodium and low in potassium.
same as normal ECF

Question 31

What is the main function of the ossicles?

Answer 31

Transfer vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the oval window

Question 32

In order to increase the decibel measurement of a sound, one would have to alter its wave

Answer 32

amplitude

Question 33

What quality gives rise to tonotopy along the cochlea and what is it?

Answer 33

The changing width and stiffness of the basilar membrane

map based on frequency of sound

sepreate the frequiences in complex sounds

louder soudns cause greater displacement of BM and location is deteremined by what frequiences - we maintain tonotopy throughout the rest of the aduitory pathway - mainatin segreatgetion of frequiences in aduitory nevres so different axons carry different friequences which are bunddled together - bunddles of like frequeincy near each other

Question 34

Which auditory property most depends upon the utilization of bilateral auditory information?

Answer 34

Sound localization

Question 35

Middle ear

Answer 35

Middle ear: –> converting airborne vibration to liquid borne vibrations with minimal loss of energy, Air filled cavity with bones
- Between tympanic membrane and oval window
Oval window: brings vibrations from ossicles to inner ear
Round window: pushed out in response to inner ear waves
Auditory Ossicles → amplify the sound waves to avoid the loss of energy
- 3 Bones
— Malleus (hammer)
— Incus (anvil)
— Stapes (stirrup)
Vibrate when tympanic membrane moves
Muscles and ligaments contract at avery loud noises and reduce ossicle to movement
Example: going to concert because protective mechanism from loud

Question 36

Inner ear

Answer 36

Inner ear: Fluid filled Contains:
Cochlea – hearing
Scala media (cochlear duct) houses organ of Corti
Vestibule – equilibrium
Semicircular canals - equilibrium or balance and issues with semicircular can lead to vertigo or dizziness

Question 37

Auditory Pathway to Brain

Answer 37

Cell body is spiral ganglion neuron → auditory nerve → first synapse ventral cochlear nucleus which is input from one ear → once get to next synapse then from both ears called bilateral integration → second synapse is superior olivary complex → 3rd is inferior colliculus in lateral geniculate nucleus → 4th synapse with medial geniculate nucleus in the thalamus → 5th with primary auditory cortex is superior temporal gyrus → then A1 so and eventually auditory pathway

Bilateral integration is huge for sound localization to hear where exactly sound is coming from so we live and don’t die using inter oral differences

Question 38

Cochlear Implant and hearing loss

Answer 38

A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that electrically stimulates the cochlear nerve

Used for patients with sensorineural hearing loss → Sensorineural hearing loss is issues with effective translation of sound frequencies into neural signals and dysfunction or death of hair cells

The external microphone picks up sounds, activates specific parts of the multi-electrode array throughout the cochlea to selectively stimulate the cochlear nerve