Introduction and Anatomy and 1 Pharmacology Question
Name all four kinds of glial cells.
- Astrocytes
- Oligodendrocytes
- Ependymal Cells
- Microglia
Describe the inside of a neuron at resting membrane potential?
The neuron is negatively charged.
What is the primary function of autoreceptors?
Autoreceptors act as a negative feedback mechanism, monitoring and regulating the release of a neurotransmitter by the neuron that produces it.
The brain and spinal cord arise from what layer?
The ectoderm
At what age does the human brain weigh the most?
The brain weighs most at 20 years old.
Which glial cell is responsible for myelinating axons in the central nervous system?
Oligodendrocytes
What are the key differences between an an EPSP and IPSP?
IPSP: Cl- efflux, decrease firing rate
What does monoamine oxidase do?
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine
Describe the difference between the sulcus and gyrus.
The gyrus is the raised tissue layer of the cerebrum, whereas a sulcus is a groove between such structures.
Patient X arrives at the clinic for a routine checkup. While being checked up, patient X's muscles suddenly started seizing on both sides of his body. What type of seizure occurred?
Myoclonic ('muscle jerk') Seizures)
How many cell layers are in the neocortex?
There are six cell layers in the neocortex.
What are absolute and relative refractory periods and when do they occur?
Absolute: complete insensitivity to stimuli
Absolute occurs during depolarization and parts of repolarization
Relative: reduced sensitivity to stimuli
Relative occurs during parts of repolarization and hyperpolarization
What is the difference between metabotropic and ionotropic? Which one is used more?
The key difference between metabotropic and ionotropic receptors is that ionotropic receptors directly open ion channels when activated by a neurotransmitter, leading to a rapid response, while metabotropic receptors activate a cascade of intracellular events through G proteins, resulting in a slower, more prolonged response; in most systems, metabotropic receptors are used more widely due to their ability to produce complex and long-lasting effects
What are the six stages of CNS development?
- Neurogenesis
- Migration
- Differentiation
- Synaptogenesis
- Neuronal cell death
- Synaptic refinement
Explain the difference between Tolerance and Sensitization
Tolerance is a decreased sensitivity to a drug as a result of taking it and Sensitization is an increased sensitivity to a drug as a result of taking it.
The midbrain is responsible for reticular formation and arousal, so what would a lesion cause?
Lack of consciousness (unconsciousness)
Describe how we return to resting membrane potential from the hyperpolarization phase?
Through the sodium-potassium ATPase pump.
(3-2-1 NOKIA)
3 Na out
2 K in
1 ATP
What is the rate limiting step in catecholamine synthesis? Name the enzyme.
The rate-limiting step in the synthesis of catecholamines is the conversion of tyrosine to dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase
How do cells in the notochord direct cells in the spinal cord to become motoneurons?
A young boy visited the doctor to complete a physical. However, during the physical, his mother complained that she believed her son's vision was blurred. The doctor became fearsome as tests later diagnosed that the boy had?
Ambylopia - early impairment of vision in one eye causes vision loss in that eye
The Locus Coeruleus and Raphe Nucleus are associated with what two neurotransmitter pathways?
Locus coeruleus: Norepinephrine
Raphe Nucleus: Serotonin
A patient comes into the emergency room, seizing on his right side. Doctors learn that the seizing does not involve the entire brain and begins in one area specifically. What type of seizure is the patient suffering from?
The patient is suffering from a focal seizure.
Why does drug rehab usually fail?
Delta FosB builds up in neurons with each drug exposure and remains activated for years after the last drug exposure. In addition, delta FosB remodels the nucleus accumbens, leading to craving and high relapse rates in treated addicts.
What is the function of IAP proteins, and if IAP proteins increased, how would this affect the brain?
They protect neurons from apoptosis by inhibiting caspase activity, and if IAP proteins increased, macrocephaly would occur.
A patient arrived at the hospital because her mother was concerned. Her mother states that her young daughter seemed to be growing healthy, but lately, something seemed to be off. The doctor continued to check on the patient and noted that the girl's hands would flap and that she demonstrated gait abnormalities. The doctor later diagnosed the young girl with a condition. What condition does the girl have?
The young girl has Rett Syndrome.