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Questions and Answers
What is typically referred to as the ability of biological systems to store and retrieve information, primarily at the molecular level?
What is typically referred to as the ability of biological systems to store and retrieve information, primarily at the molecular level?
Memory
What is the process by which a polypeptide chain acquires its functional three-dimensional structure from a linear sequence of amino acids?
What is the process by which a polypeptide chain acquires its functional three-dimensional structure from a linear sequence of amino acids?
Protein folding
What is a long-lasting increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation of a synapse?
What is a long-lasting increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation of a synapse?
Long term potentiation or LTP
Which two diseases are caused by insufficient and misfolded proteins?
Which two diseases are caused by insufficient and misfolded proteins?
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What is the process of creating glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as amino acids and lactate?
What is the process of creating glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as amino acids and lactate?
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What is involved in the final step of glycolysis, producing ATP?
What is involved in the final step of glycolysis, producing ATP?
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What is essential for neurons to generate action potentials and release neurotransmitters, processes vital for brain cell communication?
What is essential for neurons to generate action potentials and release neurotransmitters, processes vital for brain cell communication?
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What type of diet is rich in omega-3-fatty acids, antioxidants and whole grains, and can improve glucose metabolism, reduce inflammation and enhance cognitive function?
What type of diet is rich in omega-3-fatty acids, antioxidants and whole grains, and can improve glucose metabolism, reduce inflammation and enhance cognitive function?
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What catalyzes the first step in glycolysis, trapping glucose in the cell?
What catalyzes the first step in glycolysis, trapping glucose in the cell?
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What is a long, thin fiber that carries electrical signals away from the cell body?
What is a long, thin fiber that carries electrical signals away from the cell body?
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What is the primary role of neurotransmitters in the body?
What is the primary role of neurotransmitters in the body?
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What process allows neurotransmitters to be reabsorbed back into the presynaptic neuron?
What process allows neurotransmitters to be reabsorbed back into the presynaptic neuron?
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What is a natural chemical produced by the brain, also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid?
What is a natural chemical produced by the brain, also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid?
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Foods like salmon, turkey and tofu are rich in tryptophan, which helps produce which neurotransmitter?
Foods like salmon, turkey and tofu are rich in tryptophan, which helps produce which neurotransmitter?
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What is also known as the "stress hormone"?
What is also known as the "stress hormone"?
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Which two hormones are released along with cortisol, and play a role in the body's immediate response?
Which two hormones are released along with cortisol, and play a role in the body's immediate response?
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What disorder is characterized by long-term overproduction of cortisol, unrelated to stress?
What disorder is characterized by long-term overproduction of cortisol, unrelated to stress?
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What condition occurs when the adrenal glands don't produce enough cortisol and aldosterone?
What condition occurs when the adrenal glands don't produce enough cortisol and aldosterone?
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What is DNA primarily responsible for?
What is DNA primarily responsible for?
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In the context of gene-environment interaction, what does "nurture" refer to?
In the context of gene-environment interaction, what does "nurture" refer to?
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What is epigenetics?
What is epigenetics?
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Which process involves adding a methyl group to DNA to suppress gene activity?
Which process involves adding a methyl group to DNA to suppress gene activity?
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How does transgenerational epigenetics impact future generations?
How does transgenerational epigenetics impact future generations?
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What is produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness, helping to regulate the sleep-wake cycle by signaling to the body that it's time to sleep?
What is produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness, helping to regulate the sleep-wake cycle by signaling to the body that it's time to sleep?
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What promotes cortical arousal and desynchrony, which are essential for the brain's activity during REM sleep?
What promotes cortical arousal and desynchrony, which are essential for the brain's activity during REM sleep?
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What are the effects on mental health if melatonin production is disrupted?
What are the effects on mental health if melatonin production is disrupted?
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What is a chronic condition where individuals compulsively seek and use substances, despite harmful consequences?
What is a chronic condition where individuals compulsively seek and use substances, despite harmful consequences?
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Which neurotransmitter is most associated with the brain's reward system and is heavily impacted by drug use?
Which neurotransmitter is most associated with the brain's reward system and is heavily impacted by drug use?
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Chronic use of alcohol can disrupt the body's ability to process which main energy source for the brain?
Chronic use of alcohol can disrupt the body's ability to process which main energy source for the brain?
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How does opioid use (like heroin) impact brain cell function?
How does opioid use (like heroin) impact brain cell function?
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Which neurotransmitter is linked to mood, cravings, and can be affected by drugs like ecstasy?
Which neurotransmitter is linked to mood, cravings, and can be affected by drugs like ecstasy?
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What are some examples of environmental factors that can affect brain health?
What are some examples of environmental factors that can affect brain health?
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What is a developmental disorder affecting communication and behavior, often associated with neurochemical and structural brain differences?
What is a developmental disorder affecting communication and behavior, often associated with neurochemical and structural brain differences?
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What is a major component of cell membranes, playing a crucial role in regulating membrane fluidity and synaptogenesis?
What is a major component of cell membranes, playing a crucial role in regulating membrane fluidity and synaptogenesis?
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Unlike polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids, what cannot form polymers?
Unlike polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids, what cannot form polymers?
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What type of fat contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids?
What type of fat contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids?
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What is water-soluble and effective in scavenging ROS in the brain's aqueous environment?
What is water-soluble and effective in scavenging ROS in the brain's aqueous environment?
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Which neurotransmitter precursor plays a significant role in improving attention, understanding and memory?
Which neurotransmitter precursor plays a significant role in improving attention, understanding and memory?
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Which neurotransmitter precursor is naturally found in foods high in protein?
Which neurotransmitter precursor is naturally found in foods high in protein?
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What is an excitatory neurotransmitter that prepares the body for the fight and flight response?
What is an excitatory neurotransmitter that prepares the body for the fight and flight response?
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What neurotransmitter is secreted from brainstem neurons and nerves, internalizing the gastrointestinal tract?
What neurotransmitter is secreted from brainstem neurons and nerves, internalizing the gastrointestinal tract?
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What neurotransmitter can affect several areas of the brain systematically, modulating thinking, feeling, and action?
What neurotransmitter can affect several areas of the brain systematically, modulating thinking, feeling, and action?
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What does the gut-brain axis represent?
What does the gut-brain axis represent?
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What are the neurotransmitters produced by the gut?
What are the neurotransmitters produced by the gut?
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What are the signs of poor gut health?
What are the signs of poor gut health?
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What are serotonin, dopamine and ghrelin examples of?
What are serotonin, dopamine and ghrelin examples of?
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Which health condition is linked to the gut-brain axis?
Which health condition is linked to the gut-brain axis?
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What is a progressive disease that affects motor neurons, resulting in muscle weakness and paralysis?
What is a progressive disease that affects motor neurons, resulting in muscle weakness and paralysis?
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What are proteins that help speed up metabolism, or the chemical reactions in our bodies?
What are proteins that help speed up metabolism, or the chemical reactions in our bodies?
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What are enzymes that break down proteins?
What are enzymes that break down proteins?
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What helps to maintain the body's redox balance and protect against oxidative stress?
What helps to maintain the body's redox balance and protect against oxidative stress?
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What are diverse conditions characterized by selective dysfunction and ongoing loss of neurons, glial cells, and the neural networks in the brain and spinal cord?
What are diverse conditions characterized by selective dysfunction and ongoing loss of neurons, glial cells, and the neural networks in the brain and spinal cord?
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What is a group of hormones that belong to the class of chemical compounds known as steroids?
What is a group of hormones that belong to the class of chemical compounds known as steroids?
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What refers to the wide array of behaviors and actions one can display that can result in emotional, mental, or physical harm to a person?
What refers to the wide array of behaviors and actions one can display that can result in emotional, mental, or physical harm to a person?
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What are chemicals that coordinate different functions in the body by carrying messages through the blood to your organs, skins, muscles, and other tissues?
What are chemicals that coordinate different functions in the body by carrying messages through the blood to your organs, skins, muscles, and other tissues?
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What region in the brain processes emotions like fear and aggression?
What region in the brain processes emotions like fear and aggression?
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What can chronic stress lead to, affecting mood, memory, and immune function?
What can chronic stress lead to, affecting mood, memory, and immune function?
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What helps us understand how substances like alcohol, nicotine, and drugs affect brain biochemistry?
What helps us understand how substances like alcohol, nicotine, and drugs affect brain biochemistry?
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What is the primary marker for diabetes, indicating blood sugar levels?
What is the primary marker for diabetes, indicating blood sugar levels?
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What is a disorder characterized by reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin, often associated with depression?
What is a disorder characterized by reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin, often associated with depression?
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What can plasma drug levels predict, indicating whether a patient is receiving an effective dose or experiencing toxicity?
What can plasma drug levels predict, indicating whether a patient is receiving an effective dose or experiencing toxicity?
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Study Notes
The Chemistry of Memory
- Memory is the ability of biological systems to store and retrieve information.
- Protein folding is the process where a polypeptide chain acquires its three-dimensional structure.
- Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a long-lasting increase in synaptic strength.
- Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are examples of diseases caused by insufficient and misfolded proteins.
The Brain's Energy Currency
- Gluconeogenesis is the process of creating glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.
- Pyruvate kinase is involved in the final step of glycolysis, producing ATP.
- Glucose is essential for neurons generating action potentials and releasing neurotransmitters, crucial for brain cell communication.
- omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and whole grains improve glucose metabolism, reduce inflammation, and enhance cognitive function.
Neurotransmitters: The Body's Chemical Messengers
- Axons are long, thin fibers that carry electrical signals away from the cell body.
- Neurotransmitters transmit messages from neurons to muscles.
- Reuptake is the process of reabsorbing neurotransmitters back into the presynaptic neuron.
- GABA is a natural chemical produced by the brain.
- Serotonin is produced from tryptophan, found in foods like salmon, turkey, and tofu.
Stress and Cortisol
- Cortisol is the "stress hormone."
- Adrenaline and norepinephrine play a role in the body's immediate response to stress.
- Cushing's syndrome is a disorder characterized by long-term cortisol overproduction, unrelated to stress.
DNA, Genes, & Behaviour
- DNA carries genetic information crucial for development and functioning.
- Nurture refers to learning, life experiences, and environment after birth in gene-environment interactions.
- Epigenetics studies changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.
- DNA methylation is a process involving adding a methyl group to DNA to regulate gene activity.
- Transgenerational epigenetics means inheriting chemical changes in gene expression through future generations.
Sleep, Dreams, and Biochemistry
- Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
- Acetylcholine promotes cortical arousal and desynchrony, essential for REM sleep.
- Mood disorders, sleep quality, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can be impacted by disrupted melatonin production.
The Biochemical Basis of Addiction
- Addiction is a chronic condition where individuals compulsively seek and use substances.
- Dopamine is a neurotransmitter strongly connected to the brain's reward system.
- Chronic alcohol use can disrupt the brain's glucose processing.
- Opioid (like heroin) use disrupts mitochondrial function, leading to lower brain cell energy.
- Serotonin is affected by drugs like ecstasy, influencing mood and cravings.
The Gut-Brain Connection
- The gut-brain axis represents the communication network connecting the gut and the brain.
- The gut produces neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA.
Antioxidants and Brain Health
- Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble antioxidant that scavanges harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are unstable molecules that react with other molecules, damaging cells.
- Antioxidants counteract these unstable molecules.
Enzymes and Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects motor neurons.
- Amygdala is a region of the brain that processes emotions like fear and aggression.
- Enzymes are proteins that speed up metabolic reactions.
- Proteolytic enzymes break down proteins.
- Antioxidants play a role in reducing oxidative damage and protecting brain cells.
Addiction and Substance Abuse
- Addictive behaviors stem from factors like imbalances in neurotransmitters and stress response.
- Blood glucose levels (measured by glucose levels) are a key indicator of diabetes.
- BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and serotonin are connected to depression.
- Antidepressants can be used to treat a variety of conditions including severe depression.
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Description
Explore the intricate relationship between chemistry and neuroscience in this quiz. Delve into the processes of memory creation, energy production in the brain, and the role of neurotransmitters in communication. Test your understanding of these fundamental concepts affecting brain function and health.
