Neuroscience Fundamentals Quiz

Electrophysiological methods are a group of techniques used to study the electrical activity of neurons. These methods have excellent temporal resolution (ms), allowing researchers to observe neural activity with high precision.

Temporal resolution refers to the precision with which a method can measure events in time. Electrophysiological methods have excellent temporal resolution, allowing researchers to observe neural activity in milliseconds (ms).

Spatial resolution refers to the ability of a method to distinguish between different locations in space. While electrophysiological methods have good temporal resolution, their spatial resolution is more limited, especially when measuring activity at the level of individual synapses.

In vivo experiments involve studying biological processes in living organisms. In electrophysiological recordings, researchers can place electrodes in different brain regions in animals to observe synaptic activity in real-time.

Synaptic activity refers to the electrical and chemical processes that occur at synapses, the junctions between neurons. These processes are essential for communication between neurons.

Galvani, Volta, and Aldini were pioneers in the study of electricity and its effects on biological systems. Their work paved the way for the development of electrophysiological methods.

The Galvanometer was the first instrument used to record electrical currents in nerves. It allowed scientists to observe the electrical signals generated by nerves.

The discovery that acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter was a landmark in neuroscience. It demonstrated that communication between neurons is not only electrical, but also chemical.

The stable electrical potential across the neuronal membrane, typically around -60 to -70 mV. It's maintained by a balance between potassium and sodium leakage channels and the sodium-potassium pump.

Protein channels embedded in the neuronal membrane that allow potassium ions to passively move out of the cell, contributing to the negative resting potential.

Protein channels embedded in the neuronal membrane that allow sodium ions to passively move into the cell, counteracting the negative potential created by potassium leakage.

An active transport protein that pumps sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, maintaining the concentration gradients necessary for the resting membrane potential.

A brief, localized change in electrical potential across the neuronal membrane, typically caused by the opening of ion channels. This is a short-distance signal.

A short-distance signal that leads to the depolarization of a post-synaptic neuron, increasing the likelihood of an action potential.

A short-distance signal that leads to the hyperpolarization of a post-synaptic neuron, decreasing the likelihood of an action potential.

A rapid, long-distance electrical signal that travels down the axon of a neuron, initiated by a strong depolarization of the membrane.

The study of the structure of the brain, including how different parts are organized and connected.

Similar fundamental building blocks and organizational patterns exist in both human and rodent brains, despite some anatomical differences.

The brain develops from three primary regions: rhombencephalon, mesencephalon, and prosencephalon, which then further differentiate. These divisions are similar between humans and rodents.

Similar types of cortex, including paleocortex, archicortex, and neocortex, are found in both humans and rodents, with some anatomical differences.

Both humans and rodents brains are composed of neurons and astrocytes, but the total number of neurons can vary drastically between species. However, neurons in both species typically form around 10,000 synapses each.

Rodent brains serve as valuable models for studying human brains due to their similarities in fundamental structure, function, and organization.

Rodent models offer advantages in research because they allow for invasive techniques, controlled environments, and genetic manipulation.

Rodent models have limitations when studying complex human behaviors, consciousness, language, and ethics.

Electrodes placed on the surface of the brain (pia, bone, scalp) to measure electrical activity.

Electrodes inserted into the brain but outside of neurons. Used to measure action potentials of single or multiple neurons as well as local field potentials.

An electrode is placed inside a neuron, usually the cell body, to measure the electrical activity of a single neuron.

A high-resolution technique where an electrode is placed on the surface of a neuron, allowing the study of individual ion channels and their activity.

A patch clamp technique that delicately attaches the electrode to the cell membrane without penetrating it. This allows measurement of ion channel activity near the membrane.

A patch clamp technique where a small piece of the membrane is isolated from the cell. The isolated patch can be manipulated to control the concentration of fluids around the membrane, making the cell membrane like a tiny laboratory.

The most common patch clamp technique where the electrode punctures the cell membrane and provides access to the entire cell's interior. This allows for the measurement of the cell's overall electrical properties and activity.

Electrophysiological recordings are frequently conducted in vitro (slices or cell cultures) due to challenges in performing them in vivo (living organisms).

A recording technique where the electrode is placed close to the neuron's membrane to capture electrical signals without directly penetrating the membrane. It allows for extracellular action potential recording and enables post-hoc identification of the neuron after staining.

A type of electrophysiology recording where a neuron's electrical activity is measured from outside the membrane, capturing action potentials and other electrical signals.

The identification of a neuron after its activity has been recorded, often achieved through staining techniques.

The process of identifying the type of neuron based on the shape of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs)

A technique that combines intracellular recordings with surface recordings (EEG, EMG) to study brain activity at different levels, allowing researchers to correlate neuronal activity with larger-scale neural events.

A recording technique where a very fine electrode penetrates the membrane of a neuron, allowing the measurement of the electrical activity within the neuron.

A recording technique where a mild suction is applied to attach the electrode to the neuron's membrane, allowing the measurement of electrical activity near the membrane surface.

A type of electrophysiological recording where the voltage of the neuron is held constant, and the flow of ions through specific ion channels is measured.

A type of electrophysiological recording where the voltage of the neuron is allowed to vary, and the electrical currents associated with these variations are measured.

A type of electrical signal measured in the brain, representing the sum of all synaptic activity (EPSPs and IPSPs) occurring in a particular region. It reflects the collective activity of a large population of neurons.

The graphical representation of an action potential recorded outside of the neuron, which results in an upside-down (inverted) shape compared to an intracellular recording.

The combined electrical activity of a large population of neurons, which can be recorded using non-invasive techniques like electroencephalography (EEG).