Neurobiology

Nerves and impulses

Concept of membrane excitation

Resting potentials

• Nernst equation
• Donan equilibrium
• Goldman equation

Action potentials

• Sodium and potassium movements. Additional figure
• Accomodation
• The sodium channel/ pharmacology of gates
• Patch clamping
• The potassium channel

Changes in ion concntration during excitation

Propagation of the impulse

• Velocity of impulse and size of axon
• Saltatory conduction and myelination of axons

The synapse

Electrical synapses

Chemical synapses

• Morphology of the synapse
• Synaptic potentials
• Summation/ integration of synaptic input
• Excitatory and inhibitory synapses

Neurotransmitters

• Definitions
• Acetylcholine
• Biogenic amines-adrenalin, serotonin, dopamine
• Amino acid neurotransmitters
• Neuropeptides-opioids and opiates

Reading.

Eckert Animal Physiology-Mechanisms and Adaptations, 5th edition. Randall, Burggren and French. Chapters 4, 5 and 6

Schmidt Neilsen- Chapter 11