Synaptic plasticity Flashcards
Outline Hebb’s theory [5]
-neurones that fore together wire together
-neurones fore simultaneously
-causes metabolic changes
-strengthens connection
-more likely to fire together again
Describe Bliss and Lomo’s study [4]
-anaethetised rabbits
-recorded fEPSP in CA3
-applied high frequency stimulus at CA1
–found that there was a largest EPSP after stimulation
Identify two ways in which calcium acts as signalling messengers
-protein kinase C
-comudlin kinase
-Caplain
-CamKII
Describe how Ca and CamKII interact and act as messengers
-calcium binds
-conformational change
-exposes active sites
Identify 4 characteristics of LTP
input specificity
cooperativity
association
persistance
Explain cooperartivity [3]
-many weak stimuli can induce LTP
-enough stimuli to create enough depolarisation for magnesium block to be removed
-same neurotransmitter
Explain associativity [2]
-weak stimuli along with strong stimuli can induce LTP
-differrent neurotransmitters can create enough depolarisation for Mg block to be removed
Explain input specificity [3]
-other inputs that are not active at the same time will not induce LTP
-pre-synpatic terminal needs to release enough glutamate to activate NMDA receptor
How was APV is used to show NMDAr are required for LTP [4]
-APV blocks NMDA receptors
-was added
-over time washed away
-there was an increase in EPSP after APV has been washed out
Identify 2 potential mechanisms in which synaptic strength can be altered
-increase glutamate release
-increase NMDA receptors
-increase channel open time
-increase number of extracellular ions
Define LTD
-upon the second firing there is a decrease in EPSP
What evidence is there that NMDA receptors are involved in LTD [3]
-D-APV is a NMDA receptor agonist
-when D-APV had been removed
-decrease in EPSP
Identify three ways LTD can be induced
-NMDA receprps
-calcium
-activate glutamate receptors
-activates Ach receptors
