Physiology of Excitable Tissues

At the end of this course students should 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; and 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.

Structure and functions of nerves. Cardiac muscle, smooth muscle and skeletal muscle. Muscles: structure, excitation, theories of excitation-contraction. Membrane potentials. Nerve impulse and its physiological properties.