NSCI 175 Exam1
Molecular Neuroscience - Answer-The brain has been called the most complex piece of matter in the
universe. Brain matter consists of a fantastic variety of molecules, many of which are unique to the
nervous system. These different molecules play many different roles that are crucial for brain function:
messengers that allow neurons to communicate with one another, sentries that control what materials
can enter or leave neurons, conductors that orchestrate neuron growth, archivists of past experiences.
The study of the brain at this most elementary level is called molecular neuroscience.
Dr. Robertson's Example: I consider myself a molecular neuroscientist because my PhD dissertation
focused on the study of a single protein, the norepinephrine transporter and how its
function/dysfunction can influence behavior.
Cellular Neuroscience - Answer-The next level of analysis is cellular neuroscience, which focuses on
studying how all those molecules work together to give neurons their special properties. Among the
questions asked at this level are: How many different types of neurons are there, and how do they differ
in function? How do neurons influence other neurons? How do neurons become "wired together"
during fetal development? How do neurons perform computations?
Dr. Robertson's Example: I consider myself a cellular neuroscientist because my post doctoral research
focused on studying the developmental origins of norepinephrine neuron diversity.
Systems Neuroscience - Answer-Constellations of neurons form complex circuits that perform a
common function, such as vision or voluntary movement. Thus, we can speak of the "visual system" and
the "motor system," each of which has its own distinct circuitry within the brain. At this level of analysis,
,called systems neuroscience, neuroscientists study how different neural circuits analyze sensory
information, form perceptions of the external world, make decisions, and execute movements.
Behavioral Neuroscience - Answer-How do neural systems work together to produce integrated
behaviors? For example, are different forms of memory accounted for by different systems? Where in
the brain do "mind-altering" drugs act, and what is the normal contribution of these systems to the
regulation of mood and behavior? What neural systems account for gender-specific behaviors? Where
are dreams created and what do they reveal? These questions are studied in behavioral neuroscience.
Cognitive Neuroscience - Answer-Perhaps the greatest challenge of neuroscience is understanding the
neural mechanisms responsible for the higher levels of human mental activity, such as self-awareness,
imagination, and language. Research at this level, called cognitive neuroscience, studies how the activity
of the brain creates the mind.
Scientific Process - Answer-1. Observation - observe how bats navigate 3D space (because humans
operate upright)
2. Replication - repeating the same experiment in different subjects/animals in the same lab
3. Interpretation - his new work put to rest once popular theory from rat studies that proposed a certain
type of brain oscillation creates grid-like neural maps (oscillation absent in bats)
4. Verification- need to be done by other scientists, a different research group (find these cells in other
mammals or in bats)
Explain why animal research in needed - Answer-To study navigation at the single cell level like the Bat
man did, we need animals. We simply cannot do this kind of experiment in a human (i.e. record from
single neurons as we navigate around a room).
While the bat brain is similar to the human brain it is NOT identical but it certainly can be a useful
model. Even non-mammalian animal brains (like drosophila brains) can be incredibly valuable models
even though they are not identical
In other words, the nervous system of different species of animals and humans share many
mechanisms!
, While "the Bat Mans" work required animals, this does not mean that working with animals is "easy".
Obtaining animal brains is challenging and requires institutional approval. Designing experiments with
animals is complicated and requires institutional approval
Animal Welfare - Answer-Concern for the welfare of animals and moral responsibility to animal subjects
Used only in worthwhile experiments that promise to advance our knowledge
All steps are taken to minimize pain and distress
All alternatives to animals are considered and
minimum number of animals used
IACUC - Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Animal Rights - Answer-•Experimenting on animals is always unacceptable because:
•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
Three Rs of ethical animal research - Answer-•Reduction:
•Reducing the number of animals used in experiments by:
-Improving experimental techniques
-Improving techniques of data analysis
-Sharing information with other researchers
•Refinement:
•Refining the experiment or the way the animals are cared for so as to reduce their suffering by:
-Using less invasive techniques
Molecular Neuroscience - Answer-The brain has been called the most complex piece of matter in the
universe. Brain matter consists of a fantastic variety of molecules, many of which are unique to the
nervous system. These different molecules play many different roles that are crucial for brain function:
messengers that allow neurons to communicate with one another, sentries that control what materials
can enter or leave neurons, conductors that orchestrate neuron growth, archivists of past experiences.
The study of the brain at this most elementary level is called molecular neuroscience.
Dr. Robertson's Example: I consider myself a molecular neuroscientist because my PhD dissertation
focused on the study of a single protein, the norepinephrine transporter and how its
function/dysfunction can influence behavior.
Cellular Neuroscience - Answer-The next level of analysis is cellular neuroscience, which focuses on
studying how all those molecules work together to give neurons their special properties. Among the
questions asked at this level are: How many different types of neurons are there, and how do they differ
in function? How do neurons influence other neurons? How do neurons become "wired together"
during fetal development? How do neurons perform computations?
Dr. Robertson's Example: I consider myself a cellular neuroscientist because my post doctoral research
focused on studying the developmental origins of norepinephrine neuron diversity.
Systems Neuroscience - Answer-Constellations of neurons form complex circuits that perform a
common function, such as vision or voluntary movement. Thus, we can speak of the "visual system" and
the "motor system," each of which has its own distinct circuitry within the brain. At this level of analysis,
,called systems neuroscience, neuroscientists study how different neural circuits analyze sensory
information, form perceptions of the external world, make decisions, and execute movements.
Behavioral Neuroscience - Answer-How do neural systems work together to produce integrated
behaviors? For example, are different forms of memory accounted for by different systems? Where in
the brain do "mind-altering" drugs act, and what is the normal contribution of these systems to the
regulation of mood and behavior? What neural systems account for gender-specific behaviors? Where
are dreams created and what do they reveal? These questions are studied in behavioral neuroscience.
Cognitive Neuroscience - Answer-Perhaps the greatest challenge of neuroscience is understanding the
neural mechanisms responsible for the higher levels of human mental activity, such as self-awareness,
imagination, and language. Research at this level, called cognitive neuroscience, studies how the activity
of the brain creates the mind.
Scientific Process - Answer-1. Observation - observe how bats navigate 3D space (because humans
operate upright)
2. Replication - repeating the same experiment in different subjects/animals in the same lab
3. Interpretation - his new work put to rest once popular theory from rat studies that proposed a certain
type of brain oscillation creates grid-like neural maps (oscillation absent in bats)
4. Verification- need to be done by other scientists, a different research group (find these cells in other
mammals or in bats)
Explain why animal research in needed - Answer-To study navigation at the single cell level like the Bat
man did, we need animals. We simply cannot do this kind of experiment in a human (i.e. record from
single neurons as we navigate around a room).
While the bat brain is similar to the human brain it is NOT identical but it certainly can be a useful
model. Even non-mammalian animal brains (like drosophila brains) can be incredibly valuable models
even though they are not identical
In other words, the nervous system of different species of animals and humans share many
mechanisms!
, While "the Bat Mans" work required animals, this does not mean that working with animals is "easy".
Obtaining animal brains is challenging and requires institutional approval. Designing experiments with
animals is complicated and requires institutional approval
Animal Welfare - Answer-Concern for the welfare of animals and moral responsibility to animal subjects
Used only in worthwhile experiments that promise to advance our knowledge
All steps are taken to minimize pain and distress
All alternatives to animals are considered and
minimum number of animals used
IACUC - Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Animal Rights - Answer-•Experimenting on animals is always unacceptable because:
•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
Three Rs of ethical animal research - Answer-•Reduction:
•Reducing the number of animals used in experiments by:
-Improving experimental techniques
-Improving techniques of data analysis
-Sharing information with other researchers
•Refinement:
•Refining the experiment or the way the animals are cared for so as to reduce their suffering by:
-Using less invasive techniques
