Chapter 2
What is the relationship between Vodou religion and Zombies?
Zombification using tetrodotoxin and datura. Tetrodotoxin impairs the systems that allow the brain to
communicate and hold it in a near-fatal paralysis until the body gets rid of the tetrodotoxin. Datura
causes “resurrection” but makes the person delirious and compliant.
Describe the process of zombification according to Wade Davis.
Same as above, datura leaves the person in an altered state of mind that makes them easily coercible.
Details of neuron communication and the action potential.
As input signals from other neurons come in, there’s a spike of electrical energy (the AP) which sends
chemical messengers to other neurons of other cells.
Describe the transition between sleep and wakefulness.
The RAS floods the thalamus and neocortex with neurochemicals that increase the firing rate of neurons in
the neocortex. The activation of neurons in the back of the hypothalamus called the TMN is what wakes you
up. To shut down, a set of neurons (GABA) in the hypothalamus called the VLPO send messengers to
suppress neural activity in the brain (slows activity in neocortex which stops signals to muscles until
VLPO stops sending signals.
Describe the involvement of place cells in dreaming.
During REM sleep, parts of the arousal system wake up. The activity in the neocortex and tegmentum
increases. During deep sleep, the brain will repeat place cell (fire whenever you’re in a specific part of space
activity from the day.
What is the importance of the fast switch “flip flop” and the implications for zombism?
Transition between wake and sleep is sudden and final. If the “flip-flop” fails, this results in sleepwalking,
which may be an explanation of the state of zombies.
Do zombies dream?
Zombies are stuck in a state between sleep and wakefulness, but may still experience REM neural activity.
Concepts of concentration gradient and electrostatic pressure as it relates to ion movement.
Electrostatic pressure and diffusion push Na+ inside, Cl- goes inside because of diffusion, and K+ is
pushed out by concentration gradient but electrostatic pressure is trying to keep it in.
Resting membrane potential and threshold of excitation.
RMP is -70mV. ToE is -55mV to -65mV.
Relative ion concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride inside/outside a resting neuron.
Chloride is negative, is outside the cell and gets pushed in. Potassium is positive and inside, and gets
pushed out. Sodium is positive and goes in and out of the cell. Sodium-Potassium pump resets the ions
after done.
EPSP vs. IPSP
Excitatory depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane. Positive flow into the cell (sodium).
Inhibitory hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane. Negative flow into the cell (chloride).
What is the relationship between Vodou religion and Zombies?
Zombification using tetrodotoxin and datura. Tetrodotoxin impairs the systems that allow the brain to
communicate and hold it in a near-fatal paralysis until the body gets rid of the tetrodotoxin. Datura
causes “resurrection” but makes the person delirious and compliant.
Describe the process of zombification according to Wade Davis.
Same as above, datura leaves the person in an altered state of mind that makes them easily coercible.
Details of neuron communication and the action potential.
As input signals from other neurons come in, there’s a spike of electrical energy (the AP) which sends
chemical messengers to other neurons of other cells.
Describe the transition between sleep and wakefulness.
The RAS floods the thalamus and neocortex with neurochemicals that increase the firing rate of neurons in
the neocortex. The activation of neurons in the back of the hypothalamus called the TMN is what wakes you
up. To shut down, a set of neurons (GABA) in the hypothalamus called the VLPO send messengers to
suppress neural activity in the brain (slows activity in neocortex which stops signals to muscles until
VLPO stops sending signals.
Describe the involvement of place cells in dreaming.
During REM sleep, parts of the arousal system wake up. The activity in the neocortex and tegmentum
increases. During deep sleep, the brain will repeat place cell (fire whenever you’re in a specific part of space
activity from the day.
What is the importance of the fast switch “flip flop” and the implications for zombism?
Transition between wake and sleep is sudden and final. If the “flip-flop” fails, this results in sleepwalking,
which may be an explanation of the state of zombies.
Do zombies dream?
Zombies are stuck in a state between sleep and wakefulness, but may still experience REM neural activity.
Concepts of concentration gradient and electrostatic pressure as it relates to ion movement.
Electrostatic pressure and diffusion push Na+ inside, Cl- goes inside because of diffusion, and K+ is
pushed out by concentration gradient but electrostatic pressure is trying to keep it in.
Resting membrane potential and threshold of excitation.
RMP is -70mV. ToE is -55mV to -65mV.
Relative ion concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride inside/outside a resting neuron.
Chloride is negative, is outside the cell and gets pushed in. Potassium is positive and inside, and gets
pushed out. Sodium is positive and goes in and out of the cell. Sodium-Potassium pump resets the ions
after done.
EPSP vs. IPSP
Excitatory depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane. Positive flow into the cell (sodium).
Inhibitory hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane. Negative flow into the cell (chloride).
