Main description:

The second edition of "Neurons in Action" stimulates the student's learning with a detailed graphical insight into the nerve function that is just not possible to grasp in static textbooks. Students discover how changing parameters such as neuronal geometry, ion concentrations, ion channel densities, and degree of myelination affects the generation of action potentials, synaptic potentials, and the spread or propagation of voltages within a neuron. For instructors, minimovies of neuron simulations are provided for use in lectures.

Contents:

PART I: BASIC: PATCH - Introduction to Neurons in Action - The Membrane Tutorial - Equilibrium Potentials - The Na Action Potential - Threshold: To Fire or Not To Fire - Voltage Clamping a Patch - Chattering Ion Channels - The Ca Action Potential - The Neuromuscular Junction - Synaptic Inhibition - Interactions of EPSPs and IPSPs - PART II: BASIC: AXONS - The Passive Axon - The Unmyelinated Axon - The Myelinated Axon - Partial Demyelination - PART III: ADVANCED: PATCH - A Dynamic View of Threshold - Na and K Channel Kinetics - Extracellular Ca Sensitivity of the Na Channel - PART IV: ADVANCED: AXONS - Axon Diameter Change - Non-uniform Channel Density - PART V: ADVANCED: CELLS - Site of Impulse Initiation - Synaptic Integration - "Voltage Clamping" Cells - Impulse Invasion of the Presynaptic Terminal - Coincidence Detection