Lecture 1: Matheson

Question 1

Define behaviour

Answer 1

all observable processes by which an animal responds to perceived changes in the internal state of its body or in the external world

Question 2

What are Tinbergen’s four questions

Answer 2

How is this behaviour achieved
How does the behaviour develop?
What is the behaviour for?
Where has the behaviour come from?

Question 3

Which of Tinbergen’s four questions are proximate?

Answer 3

How is this behaviour achieved?
- Mechanism
How does the behaviour develop
-Development / plasticity

Question 4

Which of Tinbergen’s four questions are ultimate?

Answer 4

What is the behaviour for?
-Function
Where has the behaviour evolved from?
-Evolution

Question 5

Define Neurons:

Answer 5

Electrically excitable cells that have one or more neurites from their soma

Question 6

Define Neurites

Answer 6

Protrusions / extensions from the cell body

• Axons –> output
• Dendrites –> input

Question 7

How do neurons communicate with one another

Answer 7

Electrical or chemical synapses

Via neuromodulators / neurohormones

Question 8

Define a Sensory Neuron

Answer 8

A nerve cell that receives information from the internal or external environment and transmits signals to the central nervous system

Question 9

Define a Motor Neuron:

Answer 9

A nerve cell that transmits information from the brain / spinal cord to an effector

Question 10

Define an Inter-neuron:

Answer 10

A neuron that transmits impulses between other neurons, especially as part of a reflex arc

Question 11

Define: an Exteroceptor

Answer 11

A sensory receptor that receives external stimuli

Question 12

Define: a Proprioceptor

Answer 12

A sensory receptor that receives internal stimuli

Question 13

Define: Cortical Neuron

Answer 13

the neurons which make up the cerebral cortex

Question 14

Define: Local interneuron

Answer 14

Forms a connection between other neurons

Question 15

Define: ipsilateral

Answer 15

A nerve which runs down the same side of the body the whole time

Question 16

Define: contralateral

Answer 16

A nerve which runs down the body and changes sides from its origin

Question 17

Define: Membrane Potential:

Answer 17

Voltage difference across a membrane

Question 18

Define: Equilibrium Potential:

Answer 18

The voltage at which there is no net movement of the ion species, in a single ion species system

Question 19

Define: Reversal Potential:

Answer 19

The potential at which there is no net movement of the ion species. Calculated with the Nernst Equation.

Question 20

Define: Voltage gated ion channel

Answer 20

An ion channel which opens at a specific membrane potential

Question 21

Define: Ligand gated ion channel

Answer 21

An ion channel which ones when a signalling molecule binds to it

Question 22

Define: Spike Threshold

Answer 22

The membrane potential at which voltage gated sodium channels begin to open which leads to an action potential

Question 23

Define: Generator Potential

Answer 23

Graded potential in sensory neurons, caused by a stimulus, which will produce an action potential if it reaches the spike threshold

Question 24

What is the function of neurons

Answer 24

Receive, gather and transmit electrical and chemical signals

Question 25

What causes the resting membrane potential to be set where it is (-65mV)

Answer 25

Permeable to K+ ions so close to Ek.
Large negative proteins on inside of membrane which can’t pass through –> large electrical gradient to flow into the cell.

Question 26

How are signals passed along a nerve cell

Answer 26

Action potentials
- brief depolarization which doesn’t decrease in size and is formed in an all or nothing event
Graded response:
- passive propagation

Question 27

How are Post synaptic potentials formed (PSPs)

Answer 27

Depolarisatin –> calcium influx through voltage gated channels –> vesicles released neurotransmitter into synaptic cleft –> hyperpolarisating or depolarising effect –> Post synaptic potential depending on the receptors affected

EPSP is positive compared to spike threshold
IPSP is negative compared to spike threshold

Question 28

What are the properties of post synaptic potentials

Answer 28

Able to summate without a decrease and build up to a larger signal in turn
Able to facilitate (summate with decrease in between)
Able to depress (increased frequency of signals leads to decreased amplitude

Question 29

What signalling molecules are released at synapses

Answer 29

Neurotransmitter: direct effect of post-synaptic cell
Neuromodulator: released in vicinity of post-synaptic cell
Neuro-hormone: released into blood stream for distant action

Question 30

What is the purpose of electrical synapses

Answer 30

Rapid information transfer between cells

Found in locations where speed is important