| An
Overview of Nervous Systems |
| 1. |
Compare and contrast the
nervous systems of the following animals and explain how
variations in design and complexity relate to their phylogeny,
natural history, and habitat: hydra, sea star, planarian, insect,
squid, and vertebrate. |
| 2. |
Name the three stages in
the processing of information by nervous systems. |
| 3. |
Distinguish among sensory
neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. |
| 4. |
List and describe the
major parts of a neuron and explain the function of each. |
| 5. |
Describe the function of
astrocytes, radial glia, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells. |
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The
Nature of Nerve Signals |
| 6. |
Define a membrane
potential and a resting potential. |
| 7. |
Describe the factors that
contribute to a membrane potential. |
| 8. |
Explain why the membrane
potential of a resting neuron is typically around 260 to 280 mV. |
| 9. |
Explain the role of the
sodium-potassium pump in maintaining the resting potential. |
| 10. |
Distinguish between gated
and ungated ion channels and among stretch-gated ion channels,
ligand-gated ion channels, and voltage-gated ion channels. |
| 11. |
Define a graded
potential and explain how it is different from a resting
potential or an action potential. |
| 12. |
Describe the
characteristics of an action potential. Explain the role of
voltage-gated ion channels in this process. |
| 13. |
Describe the two main
factors that underlie the repolarizing phase of the action
potential. |
| 14. |
Define the refractory
period. |
| 15. |
Explain how an action
potential is propagated along an axon. |
| 16. |
Describe the factors that
affect the speed of action potentials along an axon and describe
adaptations that increase the speed of propagation. Describe
saltatory conduction. |
| 17. |
Compare an electrical
synapse and a chemical synapse. |
| 18. |
Describe the structures
of a chemical synapse and explain how they transmit an action
potential from one cell to another. |
| 19. |
Explain how excitatory
postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and inhibitory postsynaptic
potentials (IPSPs) affect the postsynaptic membrane potential. |
| 20. |
Define summation
and distinguish between temporal and spatial summation. Explain
how summation applies to EPSPs and IPSPs. |
| 21. |
Explain the role of the
axon hillock. |
| 22. |
Describe the role of
signal transduction pathways in indirect synaptic transmission. |
| 23. |
Describe the specific
properties of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and biogenic
amines. |
| 24. |
Identify and describe the
functions of the four amino acids and several neuropeptides that
work as neurotransmitters. |
| 25. |
Explain how endorphins
function as natural analgesics. |
| 26. |
Describe the roles of
nitric oxide and carbon monoxide as local regulators. |
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Vertebrate
Nervous Systems |
| 27. |
Compare the structures
and functions of the central nervous system and the peripheral
nervous system. |
| 28. |
Distinguish between the
functions of the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous
system. |
| 29. |
Describe the embryonic
development of the vertebrate brain. |
| 30. |
Describe the structures
and functions of the following brain regions: medulla oblongata,
pons, midbrain, cerebellum, thalamus, epithalamus, hypothalamus,
and cerebrum. |
| 31. |
Describe the specific
functions of the reticular system. |
| 32. |
Explain how the
suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) function as a mammalian biological
clock. |
| 33. |
Relate the specific
regions of the cerebrum to their functions. |
| 34. |
Distinguish between the
functions of the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum. |
| 35. |
Describe the specific
functions of the brain regions associated with language, speech,
emotions, memory, and learning. |
| 36. |
Explain the possible role
of long-term potentiation in memory storage and learning in the
vertebrate brain. |
| 37. |
Describe our current
understanding of human consciousness. |
| 38. |
Explain how research on
stem cells and neural development may lead to new treatments for
injuries and disease. |
| 39. |
Describe current
treatments for schizophrenia. |
| 40. |
Distinguish between
bipolar disorder and major depression. |
| 41. |
Describe the symptoms and
brain pathology that characterize Alzheimer’s disease. Discuss
possible treatments for this disease. |
| 42. |
Explain the cause of
Parkinson’s disease. |
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