NSCI 175 Exam1
Explain the reductionist approach - Answer-Breaking the topic of neuroscience down into smaller pieces
(Cognitive, Behavior, Systems, Cellular, Molecular).
Pros: can be more detailed; get a better explanation of the topics
Cons: can be hard to see the big picture
Compare different levels of analysis in neuroscience research (molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral,
and cognitive neuroscience) - Answer-Molecular- looking at the molecules that bind to receptors and
how that can change the receptors
Cellular- how molecules work together to give neurons their special properties. How do neurons
communication? What are their different functions? Different types of neurons? etc
Systems- how different neural circuits analyze information, form perceptions, make decisions, and
execute movement
Behavioral- how do neural systems work to provide integrated behavior?
Cognitive- neural mechanisms required for higher level mental activity, such as self-awareness,
imagination, and memory.
Describe the four essential steps in the scientific process with examples - Answer-1. Observation-
making a hypothesis and observing results
, 2. Replication- replicating your previous findings
3. Interpretation- what we think it means
4. Verification- getting other people to verify that this experiment works.
A single experiment doesn't prove anything; it provides support for a hypothesis or theory
Explain the importance of animal research in the field of neuroscience - Answer-Most of the research in
this field is on animals.
Humane treatment: Animal Welfare Act and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
Explain what Golgi and Cajal disagreed about - Answer-The neuron doctrine vs. the reticular theory
Whether neuronal communication is continuous or not.
Interconnected set of tubes (Golgi) or separate cells that communicate extracellularly (Cajal)
Explain the Neuron Doctrine - Answer-The brain is composed of independent cells. Information is
transmitted from cell to cell across synapses. Every neuron is a separate cell, not continuous with one
another.
Explain how histological procedures contributed to the advancement of neuroscience - Answer-
Microscopes and staining were used to visualize the cells. Cajal used the Golgi stain.
Cajal did the drawings and drew in the gaps.
Diagram a neuron and label its components - Answer-From left to right: dendrites, soma, axon hillock,
axon and myelin sheath, axon terminals
Describe the function of each component of the neuron - Answer-Dendrites- usually many per neuron,
diameter tapering progressively toward ending, no hillock-like region, no myelin sheath, often much
shorter than axons
Explain the reductionist approach - Answer-Breaking the topic of neuroscience down into smaller pieces
(Cognitive, Behavior, Systems, Cellular, Molecular).
Pros: can be more detailed; get a better explanation of the topics
Cons: can be hard to see the big picture
Compare different levels of analysis in neuroscience research (molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral,
and cognitive neuroscience) - Answer-Molecular- looking at the molecules that bind to receptors and
how that can change the receptors
Cellular- how molecules work together to give neurons their special properties. How do neurons
communication? What are their different functions? Different types of neurons? etc
Systems- how different neural circuits analyze information, form perceptions, make decisions, and
execute movement
Behavioral- how do neural systems work to provide integrated behavior?
Cognitive- neural mechanisms required for higher level mental activity, such as self-awareness,
imagination, and memory.
Describe the four essential steps in the scientific process with examples - Answer-1. Observation-
making a hypothesis and observing results
, 2. Replication- replicating your previous findings
3. Interpretation- what we think it means
4. Verification- getting other people to verify that this experiment works.
A single experiment doesn't prove anything; it provides support for a hypothesis or theory
Explain the importance of animal research in the field of neuroscience - Answer-Most of the research in
this field is on animals.
Humane treatment: Animal Welfare Act and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
Explain what Golgi and Cajal disagreed about - Answer-The neuron doctrine vs. the reticular theory
Whether neuronal communication is continuous or not.
Interconnected set of tubes (Golgi) or separate cells that communicate extracellularly (Cajal)
Explain the Neuron Doctrine - Answer-The brain is composed of independent cells. Information is
transmitted from cell to cell across synapses. Every neuron is a separate cell, not continuous with one
another.
Explain how histological procedures contributed to the advancement of neuroscience - Answer-
Microscopes and staining were used to visualize the cells. Cajal used the Golgi stain.
Cajal did the drawings and drew in the gaps.
Diagram a neuron and label its components - Answer-From left to right: dendrites, soma, axon hillock,
axon and myelin sheath, axon terminals
Describe the function of each component of the neuron - Answer-Dendrites- usually many per neuron,
diameter tapering progressively toward ending, no hillock-like region, no myelin sheath, often much
shorter than axons
