Test 1 Practice Questions Flashcards
NMDA receptors are ‘coincidence detectors’. Explain this statement, using the role of the NMDA receptor in LTP induction as an illustrative example. (Max 5 points. Partial marks possible)
NMDA receptors require 2 things for their channels to open: glutamate must be bound (1) and the cell must be somewhat depolarised (1)
Depolarisation occurs via the activation of local AMPA receptors (1)
In LTP experiments, high-frequency stimulation is required to activate a sufficient number of AMPA receptors so that NMDA receptors can also be activated (1)
NMDA receptors are the trigger for LTP induction (1)
In this way, NMDA receptors are ‘coincidence detectors’ as they are only active (and thus LTP is only induced) when there is coincident high-frequency activity of pre- and postsynaptic neurons (1)
Recall your reading “How the Overweight are Stigmatised”, by Toomath. Briefly (one sentence each) describe five examples of how obesity can contribute to or drive poverty. (Max 5 points. Partial marks possible)
- Increased income spent on healthcare/medicines/prescriptions
- Loss of work/income due to ill health
- Lower probability of being in employment due to prejudice
- Lower wages due to prejudice
- Higher insurance costs due to ill health/risk factors
- Rising costs of travel (e.g. airline tickets)
- Unemployment/premature death denying families from a wage-earner’s income
- Lower employment = obese people pay less tax and collect more unemployment and sickness benefits, so an economic burden on societies
- Loss of productivity through missing work = economic cost on societies
- Increased amount of health budget devoted to obesity/metabolic related issues means less health funding elsewhere and thus knock-on effects on society
McLean’s “Triune Brain” model was presented in Week 1. Briefly describe this model with reference to specific structures and their purported functions. Then present two arguments against the model. (Max 5 points. Partial marks possible)
Three waves of brain evolution: Reptilian/lizard brain (mainly brainstem and midbrain) first – seen in all vertebrates (1), paleomammalian (limbic system) second – seen in lower mammals (1), neomammalian (cortex) third – only seen in higher order mammals (1)
Reptilian = essential functions such as movement, autonomic control (1), limbic = emotion and motivated behaviours (1), cortex = higher cognitive function (1)
Argument 1: cortex present in lower mammals also. Less developed, but present. (1)
Argument 2: all these structures co-evolved – still get development of subcortical structures in tandem with cortex in higher mammals. E.g. dopaminergic projections from midbrain to cortex. (1)
