NSCI 175 Final Exam
Reductionist approach - Answer-Breaking down complex problems into smaller pieces for more
systematic analysis
Molecular neuroscientists study - Answer-the neuron at the most elementary, molecular level
(movements of ions across channels)
Cellular neuroscientists study - Answer-the neuron at the cellular level, focusing on how different
molecules come together to give a neuron it's properties
Systems neuroscientists study - Answer-the interconnectivity and functions of different neural
networks/circuits within the brain
Behavioral neuroscientists study - Answer-how neural systems work together to produce integrated
behaviors
Cognitive neuroscientists study - Answer-cognitive processes such as self-awareness, imagination, and
language within the brain; study how brain activity creates the "mind"
,The four steps in the scientific process are - Answer--observation
-replication
-interpretation
-verification
Three R's of ethical animal research - Answer--reduction
-refinement
-replacement
How many neurons and glia are there in the brain - Answer-85 billion neurons and 85 billion glia
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is - Answer-the process by which a neurotransmitter is injected into
bloodstream of animal; produces immune response and antibodies that bind to transmitter; solution
placed onto brain tissue; marks neurotransmitter receptors
In situ hybridization (ISH) is - Answer--scientists produce complementary strand of mRNA for the strand
they are targeting (called a probe) and mark with color
-when complementary strand hybridizes to real strand, can be quantified how cell is using mRNA strands
What did Golgi and Cajal disagree about? - Answer-The connections neurons make between each other.
-Golgi proposed that neurons were connected to each other like vasculature; reticular theory
-Cajal proposed that neurons not directly in contact with each other, but instead send electrical and
chemical signals to one another
What is the reticular theory - Answer-The theory that neurons are directly connected to each other like
vasculature; Golgi supported
,What is the neuron doctrine - Answer-States that neurons are not directly in contact with each other,
but are instead separated by synaptic clefts; says cell theory applies to neurons
The cytoskeleton of a neuron is composed of - Answer--microtubules
-microfilaments
-neurofilaments
Microtubules - Answer--large; run longitudinally down neurites
-smaller strands composed of protein tubulin
-microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) anchor microtubules to one another and other parts
-do not extend into axon terminal
Microfilaments - Answer--same thickness of cell membrane; braids of two thin strands that form a
polymer of actin
-mostly present in neurites
-actin one of most abundant proteins; believed to help change cell shape
Neurofilaments - Answer--exist in all cells of body as intermediate filament
-most closely resemble bones and ligaments of skeleton
Dendritic spines are - Answer-specialized structures covering some dendrites
Axon collaterals are - Answer-axon branches that travel long distances to communicate with different
parts of NS
Recurrent collaterals are - Answer-axons collaterals that return to communicate with same cell or with
dendrites of neighbors
, Axon hillock - Answer-the beginning end of the neuron, which generates the AP
Axon terminal (terminal button) - Answer-ending of the neuron, where axon meets the dendrites of
another neuron; had mitochondria
Myelin sheath - Answer-insulates the axon and helps lower electrical resistance; aids in conduction of
an AP
Oligodendrocytes - Answer-can also insulate axon and aid in AP conduction
Nodes of ranvier - Answer-spaces in myelin sheath surrounding the axon where VG potassium channels
can be found; potassium enters into axon through these nodes
Neurons classified by their connections include - Answer--primary sensory neurons
-motor neurons
-interneurons
Neurons classified by their dendritic tree shape include - Answer--stellate cells (star shaped, in cerebral
cortex)
-pyramidal cells (pyramid shaped)
Neurons classified by their dendritic spines include - Answer--spiny (all pyramidal cells in cerebral
cortex)
-aspinous
Neurons classified by their axon length include - Answer--Golgi type I (projection neurons); long axons
that extend from one part of the brain to the other
Reductionist approach - Answer-Breaking down complex problems into smaller pieces for more
systematic analysis
Molecular neuroscientists study - Answer-the neuron at the most elementary, molecular level
(movements of ions across channels)
Cellular neuroscientists study - Answer-the neuron at the cellular level, focusing on how different
molecules come together to give a neuron it's properties
Systems neuroscientists study - Answer-the interconnectivity and functions of different neural
networks/circuits within the brain
Behavioral neuroscientists study - Answer-how neural systems work together to produce integrated
behaviors
Cognitive neuroscientists study - Answer-cognitive processes such as self-awareness, imagination, and
language within the brain; study how brain activity creates the "mind"
,The four steps in the scientific process are - Answer--observation
-replication
-interpretation
-verification
Three R's of ethical animal research - Answer--reduction
-refinement
-replacement
How many neurons and glia are there in the brain - Answer-85 billion neurons and 85 billion glia
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is - Answer-the process by which a neurotransmitter is injected into
bloodstream of animal; produces immune response and antibodies that bind to transmitter; solution
placed onto brain tissue; marks neurotransmitter receptors
In situ hybridization (ISH) is - Answer--scientists produce complementary strand of mRNA for the strand
they are targeting (called a probe) and mark with color
-when complementary strand hybridizes to real strand, can be quantified how cell is using mRNA strands
What did Golgi and Cajal disagree about? - Answer-The connections neurons make between each other.
-Golgi proposed that neurons were connected to each other like vasculature; reticular theory
-Cajal proposed that neurons not directly in contact with each other, but instead send electrical and
chemical signals to one another
What is the reticular theory - Answer-The theory that neurons are directly connected to each other like
vasculature; Golgi supported
,What is the neuron doctrine - Answer-States that neurons are not directly in contact with each other,
but are instead separated by synaptic clefts; says cell theory applies to neurons
The cytoskeleton of a neuron is composed of - Answer--microtubules
-microfilaments
-neurofilaments
Microtubules - Answer--large; run longitudinally down neurites
-smaller strands composed of protein tubulin
-microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) anchor microtubules to one another and other parts
-do not extend into axon terminal
Microfilaments - Answer--same thickness of cell membrane; braids of two thin strands that form a
polymer of actin
-mostly present in neurites
-actin one of most abundant proteins; believed to help change cell shape
Neurofilaments - Answer--exist in all cells of body as intermediate filament
-most closely resemble bones and ligaments of skeleton
Dendritic spines are - Answer-specialized structures covering some dendrites
Axon collaterals are - Answer-axon branches that travel long distances to communicate with different
parts of NS
Recurrent collaterals are - Answer-axons collaterals that return to communicate with same cell or with
dendrites of neighbors
, Axon hillock - Answer-the beginning end of the neuron, which generates the AP
Axon terminal (terminal button) - Answer-ending of the neuron, where axon meets the dendrites of
another neuron; had mitochondria
Myelin sheath - Answer-insulates the axon and helps lower electrical resistance; aids in conduction of
an AP
Oligodendrocytes - Answer-can also insulate axon and aid in AP conduction
Nodes of ranvier - Answer-spaces in myelin sheath surrounding the axon where VG potassium channels
can be found; potassium enters into axon through these nodes
Neurons classified by their connections include - Answer--primary sensory neurons
-motor neurons
-interneurons
Neurons classified by their dendritic tree shape include - Answer--stellate cells (star shaped, in cerebral
cortex)
-pyramidal cells (pyramid shaped)
Neurons classified by their dendritic spines include - Answer--spiny (all pyramidal cells in cerebral
cortex)
-aspinous
Neurons classified by their axon length include - Answer--Golgi type I (projection neurons); long axons
that extend from one part of the brain to the other
