Exam 2: Computing With Neurons

Give two examples from the text of how experimentation on animals has contributed to our understanding of the brain and nervous system. Do you believe this experimentation is justified? Why or why not?

Drugs that block voltage-gated calcium channels in the axon terminal may have which of the following side effects?

Neurons send signals to which of the following?

A staining technique invented by Camillo Golgi __________________________.

The voltage difference between the outside and inside of a neuron is known as its ________________ potential.

Consider figure 2.6. In the text If you measure the voltage of a neuron at rest and add extracellular potassium, you would expect that

Consider an action potential. Write the letter (A - E) that corresponds to the best answer. -______ rising phase

Neurons contain two types of processes: axons and dendrites. Which of the following statements best describes a difference between the two?

Animal cells (including neurons) typically maintain a voltage difference between their outside and inside of (very roughly)

The resting membrane potential

Select the accurate characterization of neuronal communication.

In your own words, what is the neuron doctrine? Give 4 examples of evidence from the text that supports the neuron doctrine.

Change the underlined words so that the sentence in italics is consistent with Dale's principle. Select the best words below to replace the underlined section. Neurons may contain several types of neurotransmitters. Each synapse uses different combinations of neurotransmitters at each synapse to communicate with post-synaptic cells.

Assume the following permeability ratios and ionic concentrations in a cell: P_K:P_Na:P_Cl = 1 : 0.03 : 0.1 Where K+ inside = 400 mM, outside = 20 mM Where Na+ inside = 50 mM, outside = 440 mM Where Cl- inside = 100 mM, outside = 560 mM Set up, but do not solve, an equation to calculate the membrane potential at room temperature.

Diagram how an action potential propagates along an axon. Consider its initiation and the ions and ion channels involved. Label the phases of an action potential and state the ionic basis of each of these phases.

Construct a diagram of a hypothetical neural network involving 4 neurons. In the diagram, two neurons (A and B) are capable of releasing glutamate onto a post-synaptic cell (C). A fourth neuron (X) synapses onto the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron and is capable of causing an IPSP and preventing glutamate release. There should be a total of 3 synapses. Label each synapse with a + to indicate whether it is excitatory or a - to indicate if it is inhibitory.

Which of the following structures are unique to neurons?

Which statement most accurately describes the role of the squid in early neurophysiology experiments?

Which factors are most associated with the speed of nerve conduction?

The gap between neurons where chemical communication occurs is known as a ___________________.