NSCI 175 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Name the four essential steps of the scientific process - Answer -Observation
Replication
Interpretation
Verification
Define Replication - Answer -Repeating the same experiment over with different
subjects/animals but in the same lab
Define Verification - Answer -Working on the same experimental protocol but the work
is done by a completely different lab group/scientist
Explain why the progress in science is often slow - Answer -Following the four essential
parts of the scientific process takes time. One researcher must complete the experiment
and provide evidence of validity by repeating the study with multiple groups, and then
the research must be reaffirmed by other researchers.
Name the 5 Levels of Analysis - Answer -Molecular
Cellular
Systems
Behavioral
Cognitive
Define Molecular Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -A branch of neuroscience
that observes concepts in molecular biology applied to the nervous systems of animals
Define Cellular Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -The study of neurons at the
cellular level
It includes cell morphology and physiological properties such as membrane trafficking,
synthesis and transport of proteins, and synaptic plasticity
Define Systems Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -A subdiscipline of
neuroscience and systems biology that studies the structure and function of neural
circuits and systems
Define Behavioral Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -The application of the
principles of biology to the study of physiological, genetic, and developmental
mechanisms of behavior in humans and other animals
Define Cognitive Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -The scientific field that is
concerned with the study of the biological processes and aspects that underlie
cognition, with a specific focus on the neural connections in the brain which are involved
in mental processes
, Explain the reductionist approach - Answer -Breaking problems about the brain into
smaller pieces for systematic experimental analysis
Discuss the importance of animal research in the field of neuroscience. - Answer -
Knowledge about how things will impact humans
Ex. Blood Transfusions, Insulin, Anesthetics, Penicillin , Asthma inhalers, Breast cancer
treatments, Tuberculosis treatment, Antidepressants, Diagnostics-MRI/, HIV anti-
retrovirus, Vaccines, Implants
Explain when animal research is needed - Answer -When the procedures being
preformed would harm a human or is too risky to be performed on a person
Name and describe the three R's of ethical animal research - Answer -Reduction:
reducing the number of animals used in experiments by improving techniques and
sharing information
Refinement: refining the experiment or the way the animals are cared for so as to
reduce their suffering by using less invasive techniques and providing quality medical
care and living conditions
Replacement: replacing experiments on animals with alternative techniques such as
experimenting on cell cultures, human volunteers, and using computer models
Differentiate animal rights and animal welfare views - Answer -Those in favor of animal
experiments care about animal welfare
-Use only in worthwhile experiments
-Minimize pain
-Consider all other alternatives
-Minimize the number of animals used
-IACUC- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Those against animal experiments argue for animal rights
-Animals have the same legal and moral rights as humans
-It causes suffering to animals
-The benefits to human beings are not proven
-Any benefits to human beings that animal testing does
provide could be produced in other ways
How many neurons and glia are in the human brain - Answer -~88 billion
This makes up 2% of your body weight
Most neurons are concentrated in the... - Answer -Cerebellum
Golgi Method - Answer -Silver nitrate solution that randomly stains about 1% of
neurons in their entirety
-Allowed for huge advances in understanding of neurons and how they work
Name the four essential steps of the scientific process - Answer -Observation
Replication
Interpretation
Verification
Define Replication - Answer -Repeating the same experiment over with different
subjects/animals but in the same lab
Define Verification - Answer -Working on the same experimental protocol but the work
is done by a completely different lab group/scientist
Explain why the progress in science is often slow - Answer -Following the four essential
parts of the scientific process takes time. One researcher must complete the experiment
and provide evidence of validity by repeating the study with multiple groups, and then
the research must be reaffirmed by other researchers.
Name the 5 Levels of Analysis - Answer -Molecular
Cellular
Systems
Behavioral
Cognitive
Define Molecular Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -A branch of neuroscience
that observes concepts in molecular biology applied to the nervous systems of animals
Define Cellular Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -The study of neurons at the
cellular level
It includes cell morphology and physiological properties such as membrane trafficking,
synthesis and transport of proteins, and synaptic plasticity
Define Systems Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -A subdiscipline of
neuroscience and systems biology that studies the structure and function of neural
circuits and systems
Define Behavioral Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -The application of the
principles of biology to the study of physiological, genetic, and developmental
mechanisms of behavior in humans and other animals
Define Cognitive Neuroscience (Level of Analysis) - Answer -The scientific field that is
concerned with the study of the biological processes and aspects that underlie
cognition, with a specific focus on the neural connections in the brain which are involved
in mental processes
, Explain the reductionist approach - Answer -Breaking problems about the brain into
smaller pieces for systematic experimental analysis
Discuss the importance of animal research in the field of neuroscience. - Answer -
Knowledge about how things will impact humans
Ex. Blood Transfusions, Insulin, Anesthetics, Penicillin , Asthma inhalers, Breast cancer
treatments, Tuberculosis treatment, Antidepressants, Diagnostics-MRI/, HIV anti-
retrovirus, Vaccines, Implants
Explain when animal research is needed - Answer -When the procedures being
preformed would harm a human or is too risky to be performed on a person
Name and describe the three R's of ethical animal research - Answer -Reduction:
reducing the number of animals used in experiments by improving techniques and
sharing information
Refinement: refining the experiment or the way the animals are cared for so as to
reduce their suffering by using less invasive techniques and providing quality medical
care and living conditions
Replacement: replacing experiments on animals with alternative techniques such as
experimenting on cell cultures, human volunteers, and using computer models
Differentiate animal rights and animal welfare views - Answer -Those in favor of animal
experiments care about animal welfare
-Use only in worthwhile experiments
-Minimize pain
-Consider all other alternatives
-Minimize the number of animals used
-IACUC- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Those against animal experiments argue for animal rights
-Animals have the same legal and moral rights as humans
-It causes suffering to animals
-The benefits to human beings are not proven
-Any benefits to human beings that animal testing does
provide could be produced in other ways
How many neurons and glia are in the human brain - Answer -~88 billion
This makes up 2% of your body weight
Most neurons are concentrated in the... - Answer -Cerebellum
Golgi Method - Answer -Silver nitrate solution that randomly stains about 1% of
neurons in their entirety
-Allowed for huge advances in understanding of neurons and how they work
