Principles of Neuroscience Flashcards
What are some identifiable functions performed by the nervous system?
The nervous system performs various functions, including controlling movement, regulating physiological functions through homeostasis and producing consciousness
During which historical periods did views about the brain’s role in thought or experience evolve?
Views about the brain’s role in through or experience evolved from Ancient Egyptians through Aristotle up to the enlightenment. early views did not attribute though to the brain and functions were initially ascribed to the heart
How does the nervous system contribute to the construction of our internal universe and perception of the external world
the nervous system constructs our internal universe by generating conscious experiences. it interprets stimuli from the external world, creating our perceptions and shaping our awareness of ourselves and the environment
What does the quote “Cogito, ergo sum” signify, and how does it relate to the understanding of the mind?
the means “I think, therefore I am” it signifies the certainty of one’s own existence through thought, emphasising that the nature of through is a private experience produced by the operation of the nervous system
How did early views regarding the seat of intellect differ and what observations led to a shift in understanding?
early views, such as Aristotle’s cardio-centric view, attributed the seat of intellect to the heart. However, observations from studying injured brains, particularly during the Renaissance, led to the recognition of the brain’s role in cognitive functions.
What is the nervous system’s composition in vertebrates and what are the components of the CNS and the PNS?
the nervous system in vertebrates comprises a central division (CNS) and a peripheral division (PNS). the CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, the PNS includes everything else that connects to and from the CNS
What are the aims of the subject in understanding neuroscience?
the aims include appreciated the scope and context of neuroscience, understanding how the nervous system can be studied, recognising the specialisation the nervous system cells, and understanding the structural and functional organisation the human nervous system
What is the significance of Neurology as a medical discipline in understanding brain function?
Neurology, as a medical discipline, allowed the structured analysis of the brain disease and injury, providing insights into how these conditions manifest as signs and symptoms
What was the major insight made during antiquity regarding the brain and the mind?
the major insight was that the brain’s operation furnishes the mind. However, this view was not widely adopted until the scientific study of mind and brain began
Who appreciated the role of the brain in experience and behaviour during Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome?
Hippocrates in Ancient Greece and Galen in Ancient Rome appreciated the role of the brain in experience and behaviour. however, they saw its function in terms of the body’s humors.
what happens when the message is received i.e. the post-synaptic response
when the message is received at the synapse, the post-synaptic response involves the activation of receptors on the post-synaptic neuron’s membrane. thus activation may lead to the generation of a new action potential, continuing the transmission of the signal along the neural pathway
what is the nature of the transmission between one neuron and another?
the transmission between one neuron and another is chemical and occurs at synapses. neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal of one neuron and bind to the receptors on the dendrites or cell bod of the enxt neuron
is conduction uni- or bi-directional in the nervous system?
conduction in the nervous system can be both uni-directional and bi-directional, depending on the specific neural pathway and the type of signals being transmitted
how are signals transmitted along neural pathways and within neural structures?
signals are transmitted along neural pathways through electrical impulses known as action potentials. within neural structures, signals are transmitted through the movement of ions across the cell membrane
what is the composition of the nervous system?
the nervous system is comprised of neurons and glial cells
How did the ability to visualise neurons with microscopes contribute to our understanding of the nervous system
- released a diverse range of neural types in various nervous system regions, contributing to our understanding of how the nervous system functions
- microscope, especially with silver stains, allowed for the detection of neurones
Describe the primary methods for studying functional organisation in the nervous system.
functional organisation in the nervous system was first explored experimentally revealing segregation based on identifiable functions, such as sensory and motor regions in the spinal cord
What is the significance of chemical neurotransmission in the majority of synapses, and how does it differ from electrical synapses?
Chemical neurotransmission is the predominant method of synaptic connections in the nervous system. Neurotransmitters released from the pre-synaptic terminal diffuse across the synaptic cleft, interacting with post-synaptic membrane receptors, initiating various events. This is in contrast to electrical synapses, which are faster but less variable.
Explain the molecular machinery involved in chemical synapses, focusing on neurotransmitter synthesis, release, and post-synaptic effects.
Chemical synapses involve molecular machinery for neurotransmitter synthesis, packaging, release, re-uptake, and breakdown. The post-synaptic terminal contains protein arrays and mechanisms associated with neurotransmitter receptors, influencing post-synaptic cell effects.
What is neural plasticity, and why is it considered fundamental to the functioning of the nervous system?
Neural plasticity refers to the capacity of the nervous system to change in response to activity. This adaptability is crucial to the way our nervous system works and includes various forms of synaptic plasticity, allowing for adjustments in the efficacy of synapses.
What role do NMDA channels play in synaptic transmission, and how is calcium involved in this process?
NMDA channels are ligand-activated sodium channels. When glutamate binds and the post-synaptic terminal is depolarized, magnesium is dislocated, allowing Calcium ions to enter. Calcium serves as a potent cellular messenger with various actions, including increased synthesis and trafficking of AMPA receptors.
Describe the concept of long-term potentiation (LTP) and its importance, especially in the hippocampus.
Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the process where the responses of a neuron to a synaptic input depend strongly on the intensity of prior synaptic activity. The hippocampus, crucial for memory and learning, exhibits well-studied examples of LTP.`
Explain the mechanisms behind homologous and heterologous potentiation in synaptic plasticity.
Homologous potentiation occurs when only the previously active synapse is potentiated, while heterologous potentiation involves the potentiation of nearby synapses, even if they weren’t the ones intensely activated before.
How does the activation of NMDA receptors contribute to the increased synthesis and trafficking of AMPA receptors in the post-synaptic membrane during LTP?
NMDA receptor activation during LTP leads to increased synthesis and trafficking of AMPA receptors to the post-synaptic membrane. This enhances the opportunities for glutamate in the synaptic cleft to create a depolarizing sodium current in the synaptic terminal.