Element 3 (Nerves, muscles and neuromuscular transmission) draws on foundation material (as above) but is largely self contained. It follows course units on The body and its organisation (element 1) and proteins, membranes and cellular activity (element 2). It introduces the concept that ions are assymetrically distributed and that both ‘resting’ and ‘active’ membrane properties stems from this maintained imbalance. Ion channels and the structure and function of striated and smooth muscle are introduced. The content comes close to dealing with membrane receptors and cell signalling in relation to the modulation of ion channel function. The details of these are held over for elements 4 & 5.