ILOs:

• Explain the ionic basis for the resting membrane potential of excitable cells
• Summarise how the nerve action potential is generated and give examples of how altered ion channel function can impact on action potential generation
• Contrast action potential propagation in myelinated verses unmyelinated nerve fibres and give examples of conditions resulting from a malfunction in action potential propagation
• Explain the concept of chemical neurotransmission and give examples of conditions resulting from a malfunction in chemical neurotransmission
• Describe how chemical neurotransmitters influence the polarity of the post-synaptic membrane
• Compare and contrast temporal and spatial summation of synaptic inputs
• Explain the concepts of divergence and convergence
• Summarise methods of localising cerebral function

Part 1: Introduction

• What is a Neuron?
• Describe the structure of a Neuron
• Key Definitions
• There are different neuron structures that well learn more about later...
• The myelin sheath and nodes of Ranvier are associated with which structure of a neuron?

Part 2: Resting Membrane Potential

• What is Resting membrane potential (RMP)?
• How is it maintained?
• How do you measure the RMP?