Fundamentals of Neuroscience: Structure and Function
Cellular Foundations of the Nervous System
Neurons: Structure and Function
Neurons are the basic units of the nervous system. They have four functional zones:
- Input: Dendrites receive information from other cells.
- Integration: The cell body (or soma) integrates the information it receives.
- Conduction: A single axon conducts output information away from the cell body as an electrical impulse.
- Output: Axon terminals at the end of the axon communicate activity to other cells.
Neuronal Shapes and Functions
Different
Read MoreEcological Principles and Environmental Change Dynamics
ADAPTATIONS
Adaptation = heritable trait ↑ fitness. Types: structural, behavioral, physiological. NS: variation→heritability→differential survival→allele freq change.
Predict adaptations by matching trait to environmental pressure.
DISTRIBUTIONS & NICHES
Patterns: random, uniform, clumped. Determined by dispersal limits, abiotic factors, biotic interactions. Fundamental niche = possible; realized = actual after competition/predation.
POPULATION GROWTH
Exponential: discrete Nt+1=λNt (λ>
Read MoreBiochemical Analysis Techniques: pH, Buffers, and Cell Fractionation
Biochemical & Analytical Techniques
Unit I: General Principles of Biological/Biochemical Analysis
pH: The Acidity-Basicity Scale
The pH scale quantifies the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution, indicating its acidity or basicity. It ranges from 0 to 14.
- A pH value below 7 signifies an acidic solution, characterized by a higher concentration of H⁺ ions.
- A pH above 7 indicates a basic (alkaline) solution, with a lower concentration of H⁺ ions and a higher concentration of hydroxide
Plant Embryo Development and Cellular Processes
Embryo Formation in Flowering Plants
The formation of embryos in flowering plants begins after fertilization, when the zygote (formed by the fusion of the male and female gametes) undergoes a series of divisions and differentiations. Though the initial stages of development are similar in both dicots and monocots, the final structure of the embryo differs significantly.
Dicot Embryo Formation
In dicot plants (e.g., bean, pea), the zygote first divides asymmetrically into a small terminal cell and a
Read MoreKey Concepts in Genetics: Gene, Locus, and Allele
Key Concepts in Genetics
The Gene
A gene is organized in a linear sequence of nucleotides in the molecule of DNA (or RNA in the case of some viruses), which contains the information necessary for the synthesis of a macromolecule with specific cellular function, usually proteins, but also mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA.
The Locus
In biology, a locus is a fixed position on a chromosome, the position of a gene or a genetic marker. A variant of the DNA sequence at a given locus is called an allele. The ordered list
Read MoreProtozoa and Porifera Characteristics and Classification
Phylum Protozoa: Primitive Unicellular Animals
Phylum Protozoa represents the most primitive group of animals, consisting of microscopic, unicellular organisms. Below is an examination of their general characteristics, classification, and a detailed look at the malaria parasite, Plasmodium.
1. General Characters of Phylum Protozoa
- Habit and Habitat: Mostly aquatic (freshwater or marine), but can also be found in damp soil. Many are commensals or parasites.
- Body Organization: Unicellular or acellular;