Neural Signaling and Plasticity

Question 1

Neuronal activity is regulated by:

Answer 1

1.) Intrinsic factors (homeostatic mechanisms)
2.) Extrinsic factors

Question 2

neurons are able to generate action potential and transmit information from one cell to another

this happens because ;

Answer 2

1.) There is an ion gradient
2.) Neurons have ions channels

Question 3

a stimuli can cause changes in the BLANK and these changes can generate action potentials

Answer 3

resting membrane potential

Question 4

depolarization

hyperpolarization

Answer 4

decrease in membrane potential

increase in membrane potential

Question 5

extrinsic factors

Answer 5

chemicals that can bind to specific receptors in the cell membrane and alter the membrane voltage of the cell

this, directly and indirectly, alters neuronal excitability

Question 6

examples of extrinsic factors

Answer 6

neurotransmitters

neuromodulators

hormones

neuropeptides

drugs

Question 7

ionotropic

Answer 7

receptors are typically ligand-gated ion channels, through which ions pass in response to a neurotransmitter

targets of neurotransmitters

Question 8

metabotropic

Answer 8

receptors require G proteins and second messengers to indirectly modulate ionic activity in neurons

molecular targets of modulators

Question 9

examples of ionotropic receptors

Answer 9

AMPAR
NMDAR
nicotinic

Question 10

examples of metabotropic receptors

Answer 10

D1-D5

All serotonergic receptors

adrenoreceptors

GABA-B

Question 11

activation of ionotropic receptors produces a BLANK and BLANk alteration in the membrane voltage of the cell

Answer 11

short and fast

Question 12

activation of metabotropic receptors produces a BLANk and BLANk alteration in the membrane voltage of the cell

Answer 12

slow and continuous

Question 13

the activation of inotropic and or metabotropic receptors causes

Answer 13

alteration in the voltage of the resting membrane potential

Question 14

when a stimulus is received

Answer 14

voltage-gated Na+ ion channels open

Question 15

neuroplasticity

Answer 15

the ability of the brain cells to change and adapt their gene expression long-term, leading to changes in behavior

Question 16

forms of neural plasticity

Answer 16

synaptic = short/long term, strengthen/weaken

-various types of short-term synaptic plasticity
-long term potentiation/depression

behavioral= aplasia gill withdrawal reflex

-habituation
-sensitization

Question 17

synaptic plasticity

Answer 17

change in the synaptic strength

forms the basis of Learning and Memory

Question 18

alteration in the presynaptic terminal

Answer 18

amount of neurotransmitter/neuromodulators release

expression of calcium channels

Question 19

alterations in the postsynaptic side

Answer 19

dendrites or soma

up regulation or down regulation expression of receptors

Question 20

2 critical steps in synaptic potentiation

Answer 20

1.) Activation of NMDAR triggers potentiation by activating protein kinases.

2.) CAMKII, a downstream target, helps insert AMPA receptors into the cell membrane and maintains the potentiation.

Question 21

the insertion of BLANK on the postsynaptic side increases the strength of the BLANK

Answer 21

AMPA receptors

synaptic potential

Question 22

synaptic depression

Answer 22

driven by stimuli with low salience and or low frequency

Question 23

synaptic depression is mediated by

Answer 23

when protein kinases are activated, causing phosphorylation of certain molecules. Additionally, depression triggers a calcium-dependent phosphatase, which removes phosphate groups from these molecules.

Question 24

the internalization of AMPA receptors on the postsynaptic side

Answer 24

decreases the strength of the synaptic potential

Question 25

synaptic potentiation

Answer 25

driven by stimuli with high salience and or high frequency

Question 26

the induction of LTP and LTD is

Answer 26

dependent on the salience and frequency of the stimuli

Question 27

synaptic plasticity regarding potentiation

Answer 27

potentiation occurs by the insertion of receptors on the membrane surface, while depression removes receptors