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;