Biopsychology
Neurophysiology Case Study1
Instructions: Answer all of the numbered items below.
After a valiant but doomed battle in the distant Purkinje Galaxy, you are captured by the
Glialiens, the most evil beings in all of the Cerebral Hemisphere. They imprison you in their
outpost on the desolate planet Soma, from which no one has ever been known to escape.
Chief Oligodendrog eyes you with glee. “Well, well, if it isn’t the intrepid Starbeam (make
up a name for your space alter ego). I’ve heard of your daring deeds, and I must say your
bravado impresses even me. However, bravado is nothing if your little earthling neurons can’t
produce some obvious intelligence to go along with it. I’ve yet to meet an earthling who
possesses both.”
You shrug nonchalantly. “There’s always a first time.”
The chief laughs. “Oh, you’ve got an attitude as well!” His yellow eyes gleam as he leans
closer. “Would you care to prove the extent of your intelligence?”
You warily eye his neuron incapacitator gun. “Sure, if it’s a fair test. And if I pass, you have
to release me.”
Oligodendrog considers for a moment. “Very well. Let me explain the test. When prisoners
try to escape, we use a variety of methods based on neurophysiology principles to, uh,
discourage them from trying again. My assistant will select several methods at random and
you must predict the terrible effects produced when that method is used. Predict correctly and
you earn your release. Predict incorrectly and you experience the effects firsthand.” He
smiles and clicks his clawed toes on the floor.
Fervently hoping you remember something from those dreaded neurophysiology lectures in
Biopsychology, you agree.
“Excellent!” Chief Oligodendrog grins. “Here’s the first method.” He barks into a small radio
and a small Glialien enters with an enormous syringe. Oligodendrog explains that it contains
a mutant gene for a voltage-gated sodium channel in nociceptive neurons; injection of the
gene will prevent the channels from opening, with disastrous consequences. He then hands
Neurophysiology Case Study1
Instructions: Answer all of the numbered items below.
After a valiant but doomed battle in the distant Purkinje Galaxy, you are captured by the
Glialiens, the most evil beings in all of the Cerebral Hemisphere. They imprison you in their
outpost on the desolate planet Soma, from which no one has ever been known to escape.
Chief Oligodendrog eyes you with glee. “Well, well, if it isn’t the intrepid Starbeam (make
up a name for your space alter ego). I’ve heard of your daring deeds, and I must say your
bravado impresses even me. However, bravado is nothing if your little earthling neurons can’t
produce some obvious intelligence to go along with it. I’ve yet to meet an earthling who
possesses both.”
You shrug nonchalantly. “There’s always a first time.”
The chief laughs. “Oh, you’ve got an attitude as well!” His yellow eyes gleam as he leans
closer. “Would you care to prove the extent of your intelligence?”
You warily eye his neuron incapacitator gun. “Sure, if it’s a fair test. And if I pass, you have
to release me.”
Oligodendrog considers for a moment. “Very well. Let me explain the test. When prisoners
try to escape, we use a variety of methods based on neurophysiology principles to, uh,
discourage them from trying again. My assistant will select several methods at random and
you must predict the terrible effects produced when that method is used. Predict correctly and
you earn your release. Predict incorrectly and you experience the effects firsthand.” He
smiles and clicks his clawed toes on the floor.
Fervently hoping you remember something from those dreaded neurophysiology lectures in
Biopsychology, you agree.
“Excellent!” Chief Oligodendrog grins. “Here’s the first method.” He barks into a small radio
and a small Glialien enters with an enormous syringe. Oligodendrog explains that it contains
a mutant gene for a voltage-gated sodium channel in nociceptive neurons; injection of the
gene will prevent the channels from opening, with disastrous consequences. He then hands
