The aim of these lectures is to provide students with a basic framework of knowledge that will allow them to better evaluate and understand the various texts available. Topics to be covered (in lectures 1-9) will include:

1. Description of basic structural elements and properties of nerve cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems
2. Recap of the basis of the resting potential (first covered in element 1) and extension to consider the action potential. Using simulations of the Goldman equation, it will be demonstrated that the resting membrane is highly permeability to K⁺ whilst during an action potential the membrane becomes more permeable to Na⁺.
3. Basic structure and function of ion channels that are sensitive to membrane potential (voltage-gated ion channels).
4. A basic functional description of the structure & function and distribution of ligand-gated ion channels. This is done in the general context of excitatory and inhibitory fast chemical synapses but uses the neuromuscular junction as an exemplar.
5. Outline of the autonomic nervous system (Dr. Sergei Kasparov)
6. Outline of the endocrine system(Dr. Sergei Kasparov)
7. Homeostasis (2) (Dr. Sergei Kasparov)
8. Homeostasis (2) (Dr. Sergei Kasparov)
9. The NMJ: From details of pre and post junctional structures (dense bodies/active zones, prejunctional Ca channels, vesicle release, post junctional receptors (t_x receptors) and junctional depolarisation and post junctional AP generation) to an appreciation of the function of the NMJ in health & disease.
10. Basic description of the structure of skeletal muscle from anatomical muscle to contractile and regulatory proteins.
11. Membrane structures important for EC coupling in striated muscle: T-tubules, SR, DHP receptors (to include differences in skeletal and heart), ryanodine receptors.
12. Smooth muscle: Distribution, Structure, Function & Regulation (regulation is by comparison to striated muscle)
13. Overview of the autonomic nervous system. This is intended to orient students to better understand material presented in elements 4 & 5.