NEUROBIOLOGY Molecules, Cells and SystemsGary G. Matthews
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | HINTS
Part II
Table 3-1 is a simplified representation of the ionic composition of the extracellular fluid (ECF).
Cellular Aspects of Neurobiology
Assignment 1 (Chapter 3)
Find a source that lists a more complete ionic composition of mammalian ECF.
What is the largest single difference in ions between Table 3.1 and the actual composition of the ECF?
In what way is the table simplified with regard to this substance?
Assignment 2 (Chapter 3)
The Nernst equation figures prominently in this chapter. Research the biographical history of Walther Hermann Nernst, the chemist who derived the equation.
Assignment 3 (Chapter 3)
The sodium pump (or sodium-potassium ATPase) plays an important role in the maintenance of water balance and ionic gradients.
What is known about the molecular structure of this membrane protein?
Search for images that illustrate the sodium pump and its action.
Assignment 4 (Chapter 4)
Alan L. Hodgkin and Andrew F. Huxley first described the ionic mechanism of the action potential and developed the gated ion channel model to explain the changes inion permeability during the action potential.
Research the biographies of these important scientists and write a 150-word description of their contributions.
Assignment 5 (Chapter 4)
Find images of the molecular structure of postassium channels.
Hint for Assignment 5
You will find the name Roderick MacKinnon of Rockefeller University and the reference Science 1998;280:69-77 useful in your research.
Assignment 6 (Chapter 5)
Much of what we know about acetylcholine release at the neromuscular junction stems from work by Bernard katz and his colleagues.
Find information about Bernard Katz and describe his contributions.
Assignment 7 (Chapter 5)
Vesicle recycling is an important feature of synaptic transmission. Endocytosis of the vesicle membrane after exocytosis occurs by means of a protein called clathrin.
Search for images that illustrate the role that clathrin plays in the vesicle recycling process.
Assignment 8 (Chapter 6)
Glutamate is the most prevalent excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
Find information about glutamate receptors. How many different subtypes of glutamate receptors, based on their pharmacological profiles and molecular structure, can you identify?
Assignment 9 (Chapter 6)
John Eccles was one of the early pioneers in the study of synaptic transmission in the central nervous system.
Find information about John Eccles and describe his contributions.
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