Biochemistry Online: An Approach Based on Chemical Logic

Biochemistry Online

CHAPTER 9 - SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION

B:  NEURAL SIGNALING

BIOCHEMISTRY - DR. JAKUBOWSKI

 06/10/14

Learning Goals/Objectives for Chapter 9B:
After class and this reading, students will be able to

  • describe how a transmembrane ion gradient and nongated/gated membrane ion channels specific for given ions can give rise to a transmembrane electric potential across membranes
  • given ion concentrations and the electrical potential across a membrane, predict likely changes in the membrane potential and ion concentrations on the opening of specific channnels;
  • use the Goldman equation to predict transmembrane electrical potentials;
  • state difference between the communication across the neuromuscular junction and a synapse between two neurons;
  • state the difference between nongated and gated ion channels;
  • describe different ways to open/close gated ion channels
  • describe the immediate changes in the muscle cells when acetylcholine is released into the neuromuscular junction
  • describe the roles of stimulatory neurotransmitter receptors, voltage-gated Na+and K+ channels and the Na/K-ATPase  in the activation of a neuron;
  • explain the mechanism for selectivity of K+ over the smaller Na+ ion in the K+ channel;
  • briefly explain how membrane protein channels can be gated open by changes in transmembrane potential;

B1.  Introduction to Neural Signaling

B2.  Transmembrane Potentials

B3.  Thermodynamics of Membrane Potential

B4.  Neurotransmitter Activation of Neurons

B5.  Proteins of the Neural Synapse

B6.  Ligand-Gated Acetylcholine Receptor of the Neuromuscular Junction

B7.  Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel

B8.  Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel

B9.  Excitatory  Neurotransmitters

B10.  Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

B11.  The Senses

B12.  Touch

B13.  Summary

B14.  Links and References

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Biochemistry Online by Henry Jakubowski is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.