Zoology 214 Review for Midterm
II
- Be familiar with the structure and
function of the several parts of typical neurons.
- Know the means of transport of solutes
across cell membranes and describe a solute that utilizes each.
- Describe the roles of 3 types of ion
channels important to production of resting and action potential in
axonal membranes.
- Explain the structure of the
voltage-gated Na channel and how it functions (activation gate, voltage
sensor, inactivation gate, etc.).
- Define the terms: (spelling out an acronym
is NOT a definition) depolarization, repolarization, hyperpolarization, epsp, ipsp, graded potential, resting potential, action
potential, all-or-none conduction.
- Be able to describe what K-equilibrium and
Na-equilibrium potentials are and why these membrane voltages define the
range of possible voltages present on the membranes of cells.
- With the aid of a diagram explain the
sequence of events that produces action potentials and repolarization in
axonal membranes. What happens to these events in presence of channel
blockers, e.g.,
tetrodotoxin.
- Define refractory period- how does it
limit the frequency of AP/sec conducted along an axon.
- Describe the structure of the myelin
sheaths of axons and explain the reason it produces faster conduction of
AP. What processes lead to demyelination of axons - what is the
consequence for the patient?
- Explain the significance of the
blood-brain barrier and the structures that produce it.
- With the aid of a diagram describe the
stucture and function of a typical synapse.
- Name 3 chemicals proven to function as
synaptic transmitters in various areas of the NS
- Synapses involving the transmitter GABA
and serotonin were discussed in the context of tranquilizer and anti-depressant
drugs, respectively. With the aid of a diagram explain how the
tranquilizers of SSRI class function.
- With
the aid of a diagram explain how the dendrites and cell body of a neuron
compute input info in order to make a decision about firing an output AP.
- neuron anatomy; rough
idea of equilibrium potentials for potassium, sodium, calcium, chloride;
graded potentials; threshold; characteristics of action potential; ionic
bases of action potential; refractory period
- saltatory conduction;
synaptic transmission (chemical vs. electrical); events leading to
neurotransmitter release
- termination of
transmitter action; classical vs. peptide neurotransmitter (only need to
know specific neurotransmitters when important for function – like in the
autonomic nervous system)
- temporal summation;
spatial summation
- nitric oxide; homeostasis
(Cannon’s four postulates)
- negative feedback,
positive feedback; feedforward control; glia; myelin; blood-brain barrier
- Explain with a diagram how
stimulus intensity is coded by primary sensory neurons.
- Distinguish between phasic and
tonic receptors: give an example of each.
- From that classification table
on axon sizes/myelination describe the kinds of info handled by A-alpha and
C fibers; describe the properties of these two fiber classes.
- Describe the nature of the
pain pathway (in periphery, spinal cord, and brain) and explain how the
endogenous opiate pathway can block pain.
- Define (in context of sensory
physiology): receptor potential, transduction, referred visceral pain.
- 5 types of taste stimuli
(don’t worry about different transduction mechanisms)
- If given an unlabelled diagram
of the vestibular apparatus be able to name the structures and explain
their functions.
- Describe the unique
composition of endolymph.
- Explain: the nature of sound
waves; decibels scale; pitch of sound; the frequency range the human ear
can detect.
- Be able to describe how hair
cells of the cochlea transduce sound vibrations into membrane potentials.
How does the cochlea discriminate between frequencies of sound.
- Describe the nature of an
audiogram exam.
- Be able to define/explain:
refraction of light by a lens; how convex lenses refract rays of light;
how concave lenses refract light; visible spectrum; ophthalmascope;
presbyopia; keratectomy.
- Anatomy/histology of eye: if
presented with an unlabeled diagram of the following be able to identify
structures and explain their function:
- Describe in detail the adjustment made by
the eye in going from a distant object to focusing on a near object.
- Explain the basis of color vision by the
cone cells. What is color blindness, how many forms of it, and how is it
tested.
- Under what ambient light conditions are
cone and rod cells active, respectively.
- describe the nature of the following
vision defects and suggest how they can be treated:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Retinal detachment
- Macular degeneration