Question

Data from single-cell recordings are typically visualized with a raster plot in which:

a) time (ms) is depicted horizontally and trials are depicted vertically, where each trial corresponds to a different neuron or set of neurons

b) time (ms) is depicted vertically and trials are depicted horizontally, where each trial corresponds to a different neuron or set of neurons

c) time (ms) is depicted horizontally and trials are depicted vertically, where all trials correspond to the same neuron or set of neurons

d) time (ms) is depicted vertically and trials are depicted horizontally, where all trials correspond to the same neuron or set of neurons

Please explain

Answer 1

Answer: Choice c

Explanation: A raster plot is generated to understand the electrical dynamicity of the single neuron or a set of neurons in order to investigate effect of different stimuli on nerve impulse transmission. Since the nerve impulse transmission is a time-controlled electro-chemical event, the recording is made real time in fractions of secods i.e. milliseconds. The horizontal axis represents the time axis in the graph whereas the vertical axis represents the spikes produces in electrochemical gradient as the neuron/set of neurons undergoes various changes as a result of stimulus. Importantly, not all neurons are simultaneously studied using this method. This is becuase the other neurons would be already engaged in some other neural activity and then the exact dynamic behaviour of the target neuron/set of neurons would not be understandable.