NSCI 175 Readings- Test 1
Describe the reductionist approach - Answer-The reductionist approach is breaking a problem down
into smaller levels of analysis to reduce its complexity.
Molecular neuroscience - Answer-Study of molecules that play critical roles in brain functioning. Ex:
What molecules are able to enter and leave neurons?
Cellular neuroscience - Answer-Study of how molecules work together to give neurons specific
properties. Ex: How do neurons influence other neurons?
Systems neuroscience - Answer-Study of circuits of neurons that perform a common function, such as
the motor system. Ex: How do neural circuits analyze sensory information?
Behavioral neuroscience - Answer-Study of how systems interact to produce behavior. Ex: Where do
mind alternating drugs act?
Observation - Answer-Examination of the environment and during experiments. Ex: Broca's careful
observations led him to correlate left frontal lobe damage with the loss of the ability to speak.
, Replication - Answer-Repeating the experiment on different subjects or making similar observations in
different patients, as many times as necessary to rule out the possibility that the observation occurred
by chance.
Interpretation - Answer-How one explains what they observe, in the world or during an experiment. Ex:
Flourens concluded from experimental ablations in birds that there was no localization of certain
functions in the cerebrum of mammals. However this interpretation is incorrect because a bird
cerebrum is different from one of a human.
Verification - Answer-Verification means that the observation is sufficiently robust that any competent
scientist who precisely follows the protocols of the original observer can reproduce it. Successful
verification generally means that the observation is accepted as fact.
Discuss the importance of animal research in the field of neuroscience - Answer-To understand how the
brain works, we must open the head and examine what's inside— neuroanatomically,
neurophysiologically, and neurochemically and we can do this through animal research. Basic
neuroscience research in animal models is essential to understanding brain function and the thousands
of brain diseases and disorders that affect both humans and animals. Treatments for stroke, depression,
and drug addiction are just a few examples of developments made by this research.
Animal rights - Answer-idea that animals have the same legal and moral rights as humans.
Animal welfare - Answer-idea that animals should be treated well. Animals are used only in worthwhile
experiments that promise to advance our knowledge of the nervous system. All necessary steps are
taken to minimize pain and distress experienced by the experimental animals (use of anesthetics,
analgesics, etc., and all possible alternatives to the use of animals are considered.
Explain what Golgi and Cajal disagreed about - Answer-Argued if neurons adhere to cell theory or not,
i.e., if they are continuous or if they communicate by contact. Golgi thought they were fused together
(reticular theory), while Cajal asserted that they were separate cells.
Describe the reductionist approach - Answer-The reductionist approach is breaking a problem down
into smaller levels of analysis to reduce its complexity.
Molecular neuroscience - Answer-Study of molecules that play critical roles in brain functioning. Ex:
What molecules are able to enter and leave neurons?
Cellular neuroscience - Answer-Study of how molecules work together to give neurons specific
properties. Ex: How do neurons influence other neurons?
Systems neuroscience - Answer-Study of circuits of neurons that perform a common function, such as
the motor system. Ex: How do neural circuits analyze sensory information?
Behavioral neuroscience - Answer-Study of how systems interact to produce behavior. Ex: Where do
mind alternating drugs act?
Observation - Answer-Examination of the environment and during experiments. Ex: Broca's careful
observations led him to correlate left frontal lobe damage with the loss of the ability to speak.
, Replication - Answer-Repeating the experiment on different subjects or making similar observations in
different patients, as many times as necessary to rule out the possibility that the observation occurred
by chance.
Interpretation - Answer-How one explains what they observe, in the world or during an experiment. Ex:
Flourens concluded from experimental ablations in birds that there was no localization of certain
functions in the cerebrum of mammals. However this interpretation is incorrect because a bird
cerebrum is different from one of a human.
Verification - Answer-Verification means that the observation is sufficiently robust that any competent
scientist who precisely follows the protocols of the original observer can reproduce it. Successful
verification generally means that the observation is accepted as fact.
Discuss the importance of animal research in the field of neuroscience - Answer-To understand how the
brain works, we must open the head and examine what's inside— neuroanatomically,
neurophysiologically, and neurochemically and we can do this through animal research. Basic
neuroscience research in animal models is essential to understanding brain function and the thousands
of brain diseases and disorders that affect both humans and animals. Treatments for stroke, depression,
and drug addiction are just a few examples of developments made by this research.
Animal rights - Answer-idea that animals have the same legal and moral rights as humans.
Animal welfare - Answer-idea that animals should be treated well. Animals are used only in worthwhile
experiments that promise to advance our knowledge of the nervous system. All necessary steps are
taken to minimize pain and distress experienced by the experimental animals (use of anesthetics,
analgesics, etc., and all possible alternatives to the use of animals are considered.
Explain what Golgi and Cajal disagreed about - Answer-Argued if neurons adhere to cell theory or not,
i.e., if they are continuous or if they communicate by contact. Golgi thought they were fused together
(reticular theory), while Cajal asserted that they were separate cells.
