Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Describe and give examples of the ligand receptor superfamilies, specifically the ligand-gated receptor channels and the G-protein coupled receptors, with regard to their pharmacological and functional properties.
• Describe the mechanisms of synaptic signaling in the mammalian CNS and their modulation.
• Describe the interactions between the multiple voltage-gated ion channel types and the principles that produce the changes in membrane potential
• Discuss the implications of a sample of current research in this field for our understanding of neuronal function.
• Describe the formation of synaptic connections in developing nervous systems, including the mechanisms and importance of axon guidance, and the role of synapse elimination in the normal development of the nervous system.
• Describe the overall structure/function relationships of the major classes of voltage-gated channel nd the subtypes of glutamate receptors.
• Describe the animal model systems and experimental methodologies used in these investigations and be able to explain the significance and advantages/disadvantages of each form of observation.
• Describe the importance of the biophysical properties of the voltage-gated ion channels and the pivotal role of calcium ions in coordinating electrical and biochemical information transfer.
• Outline the stages in cell to cell information transfer within the nervous system, from action potentials in myelinated axons of the pre-synaptic cell, through synaptic transmission to the activation of the post-synaptic neurone and its axonal output.
• Explain the basic principles of intra- and inter-cellular information with reference to synaptic transmission, including the concepts of cellular excitability and the role of second messengers and relate this to receptor transduction mechanisms in the mammalian central nervous system?

• Information transfer in the nervous system
• Ligand-gated channels & G-protein coupled Receptors
• Mechanisms and modulation of synaptic neurotransmitter release
• Voltage-gated channels
• Axon guidance

Lectures, research paper seminars and independent study.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.