NSCI 175 exam 1
explain why progress in science is often slow - Answer-Scientists are always putting forward theories
and what you hear in class is our current understand of science but those theories and ideas get
challenged and new understandings develop with new technology and progress
explain the reductionist approach - Answer-scientists break problems into smaller pieces for systematic
experimental analysis, size of the unit study defines what is the level of analysis
3. Compare different levels of analysis in neuroscience research (molecular, cellular,
systems, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience) - Answer-molecular: study of the molecules that make
up the brain
cellular: how all the molecules work together to give neurons their special properties
systems: how different neural circuits analyze sensory info, form perceptions of the external world,
make decisions, and execute movements
behavioral: how do neural systems work together to produce behaviors
cognitive: how the activity of the brain creates the mind, understanding the neural mechanisms for
higher levels of mental activity
4. List and Describe the four essential steps in the scientific process with examples - Answer-1-
observation
2-replication- repeating the same experiment in different subjects/animals in the same lab
3- interpretation- new work put to rest
, 4-verification- done by other scientists
5. Discuss the importance of animal research in the field of neuroscience - Answer--animals make it
possible to get control over the influence of heredity
-it is possible to control a participant's environment
-it is possible to do research with animals that, for ethical reasons, cannot be done with people
6. Explain when animal research is needed - Answer--to study navigation at the single cell level, we
need animals
-animal brains are useful models for the human brain
7. Describe the three Rs of ethical animal research - Answer--reduction: reduce the # of animals used in
experiments by improving experimental design, share info with other researchers, improve data analysis
-refinement: refining the experiment or the way the animals are cared for so as to reduce their suffering
by better medical care, better living conditions, using less invasive techniques
-replacement: replace experiments on animals with alternative techniques such as using computer
models, human volunteers, minimal animals, use cell cultures
8. Differentiate animal rights and animal welfare views - Answer-welfare: in favor of animal
experiments, experimenting on animals is acceptable if and only if suffering is minimized and human
benefits are gained
rights: against animal experiments, animals have the same legal and moral rights as humans, benefits to
humans are not proven
1. Identify how many neurons and glia are in the human brain - Answer-neurons- 88 billion (most
concentrated in the cerebellum)
glia- about the same number as neurons, 87 billion
a. Compare and contrast IHC and ISH - Answer-both assess gene expression
explain why progress in science is often slow - Answer-Scientists are always putting forward theories
and what you hear in class is our current understand of science but those theories and ideas get
challenged and new understandings develop with new technology and progress
explain the reductionist approach - Answer-scientists break problems into smaller pieces for systematic
experimental analysis, size of the unit study defines what is the level of analysis
3. Compare different levels of analysis in neuroscience research (molecular, cellular,
systems, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience) - Answer-molecular: study of the molecules that make
up the brain
cellular: how all the molecules work together to give neurons their special properties
systems: how different neural circuits analyze sensory info, form perceptions of the external world,
make decisions, and execute movements
behavioral: how do neural systems work together to produce behaviors
cognitive: how the activity of the brain creates the mind, understanding the neural mechanisms for
higher levels of mental activity
4. List and Describe the four essential steps in the scientific process with examples - Answer-1-
observation
2-replication- repeating the same experiment in different subjects/animals in the same lab
3- interpretation- new work put to rest
, 4-verification- done by other scientists
5. Discuss the importance of animal research in the field of neuroscience - Answer--animals make it
possible to get control over the influence of heredity
-it is possible to control a participant's environment
-it is possible to do research with animals that, for ethical reasons, cannot be done with people
6. Explain when animal research is needed - Answer--to study navigation at the single cell level, we
need animals
-animal brains are useful models for the human brain
7. Describe the three Rs of ethical animal research - Answer--reduction: reduce the # of animals used in
experiments by improving experimental design, share info with other researchers, improve data analysis
-refinement: refining the experiment or the way the animals are cared for so as to reduce their suffering
by better medical care, better living conditions, using less invasive techniques
-replacement: replace experiments on animals with alternative techniques such as using computer
models, human volunteers, minimal animals, use cell cultures
8. Differentiate animal rights and animal welfare views - Answer-welfare: in favor of animal
experiments, experimenting on animals is acceptable if and only if suffering is minimized and human
benefits are gained
rights: against animal experiments, animals have the same legal and moral rights as humans, benefits to
humans are not proven
1. Identify how many neurons and glia are in the human brain - Answer-neurons- 88 billion (most
concentrated in the cerebellum)
glia- about the same number as neurons, 87 billion
a. Compare and contrast IHC and ISH - Answer-both assess gene expression
