VC - Molecular Neuroscience Flashcards

1
Q

Where does molecular neuroscience occur?

A

Between the molecular and sub-cellular level

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2
Q

What are some key statistics about the complexity of the brain?

A
  • 30,000 genes
  • 100, 000 proteins
  • 86 billion neurons
  • 10-100 trillion synapses

It operates on a micro-millisecond time scale and can retain or forget information for 10 seconds to 70 years

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3
Q

Is the brain a vital organ?

A

No, the brain is not vital as you can be brain dead and still survive

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4
Q

What are 4 major diseases associated with the brain?

A
  1. Alzheimer’s
  2. Autism
  3. Depression
  4. Epilepsy
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5
Q

What are the major promoters controlling nerve function?

A

Glutamate:
- Major excitatory transmitter
- Natural amino acid

GABA:
- Major inhibitory transmitter
- Synthesised amino acid

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6
Q

What enzyme converts Glutamate –> GABA?

A

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)
- Removes the carboxyl group on glutamate

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7
Q

What is the GAD gene recognised by?

A

Transcription factors to ensure gene is selectively expressed in GABA neurons

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8
Q

What is the polarity of neuronal processes?

A
  • axon giving the presynaptic nerve terminal
  • dendrite giving the postsynaptic nerve terminal
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9
Q

What are the basic features of microtubules, intermediate filaments and actin filaments?

A

Microtubules
- 25-nm diameter
- Composed of alpha/beta dimers (50kDa each)
- Dynamic structure
- Build hollow tube
- Add and subtract from each + and - end

Intermediate filaments
- 10-nm diameter
- Dimer with head and tail
- Ring like structure

Actin filaments
- 7-nm diameter
- Composed of G-actin monomers which make F-actin filaments
- G-actin monomers → F-actin filaments

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10
Q

How are microtubules orientated in the axon structure?

A

Orientated unidirectionally

  • +ve end grows towards the presynaptic terminal
  • -ve end grows towards cell body
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11
Q

How are microtubules orientated in the dendrite structure?

A

Orientated bi-directionally

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12
Q

What filament stabilises axons?

A

Neurofilament

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13
Q

What is the role of the actin cytoskeleton in neurons?

A

The actin cytoskeleton is often associated with a cortical network enriched in the terminal region of neurons

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