Physiology of Excitable Tissues

At the end of the course, students will be able to: 1. list the steps in excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle; 2. describe the structure of the neuromuscular junction; 3. list some intracellular factors that can cause muscle fatigue; 4. describe the distinguishing characteristics of multi-unit and unitary smooth muscles; 5. explain the steps in the excitation-contraction coupling mechanism in cardiac muscle and compare with skeletal muscle including different mechanisms for sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release; 6. explain how the resting membrane potential is generated 7. state the Nernst equation, and indicate how this equation accounts for both the chemical and electrical driving forces that act on an ion; 8. discuss the mechanisms by which an action potential is propagated along both nonmyelinated and myelinated axons; 9. describe the principle of the voltage clamp and how it is used to identify the ionic selectivity of channels; and 10. discuss the disorders that can occur at the neuromuscular junction.

Physiology of Excitable Tissues: Physiology of excitable tissues: definition and types. Nerve: membrane potentials, receptor potential, action potential and its propagation, synapses and synaptic transmission, neuromuscular junction. Muscles: types and mode of contraction in various types. General organisation of the CNS and Physiologic anatomy of the ANS. Functions of the ANS. Differences and Similarities between ANS and somatic nervous system. Divisions of the ANS. Characteristics of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic system. Similarities and differences. ANS effects on major organs of the body, Pharmacology of ANS, ANS reflexes and Control centres. Experiments on nerves and muscles. 300 Level