Neuro-1

Question 1

What is neuroethology?

Answer 1

The study of the neural basis of behaviour it emphasizes the causation, the development, the evolution and function of behaviour and derived neural circuits from this
Neuroethologists base their studies in behavioural studies which are ideally performed in an animals’ natural habitat

Question 2

What are the different methods used in neuroethology?

Answer 2

Behavioural methods may be used to ask profound questions about the organization of the underlying neural sequences
Some use intracellular recording techniques which allows one cell at a time to be probes in a neural circuit to see its role in a particular behaviour
Molecular methods are also used to explore phylogenetic relationships
Computer modelling is used to predict behaviour of neural circuits

Question 3

How does a nerve fire?

Answer 3

This is accomplished by the nerve setting up a concentration gradient which has high levels of potassium extracellularly and low intracellular levels via the Na/K pump which provides a resting membrane potential of approx -70mV
It then gets depolarized to the point where it reaches a threshold potential which will result in the generation of an action potential where there is an opening of voltage gated Na channels which result in rapid dramatic, depolarization followed by a hypopolarization where a potassium channel will open up allowing an outflow of K to re-establish the membrane potential

Question 4

What is hyperpolarisation?

Answer 4

This is due to the opening of gated K+ channels where K+ diffuses out of the membrane of cell and makes the membrane potential more negative

Question 5

What is depolarization?

Answer 5

Gated Na+ channels open and Na+ diffuses into the cell making the membrane potential become less negative