Studying neurotransmitter systems

Question 1

immunocytochemistry

Answer 1

label proteins using fluorescently tagged antibodies

Question 2

genetic modification

Answer 2

knockout: elimination of a functional gene from genome
knockdown: reduced expression of gene
overexpression: express it more than normal
exogenous expression: expressing a gene in a cell that doesn’t normally express it (have to put it in a context where it could work)

Question 3

Gain-of-function/ loss-of-function exeriments

Answer 3

used to test the function of a molecule; need a way to measure the function (an assay, i.e. electrophysiological recording of post synaptic cell after presynaptic stimulation);
GOF: add a molecule to a system that normally doesn’t have it to see if it adds the function or add more of a molecule to see if it gets more function
LOF: take away or reduce the amount of a molecule to see if function is lost or reduced