BSc Biomedical Sciences

Excitable cells play a key role in the function of the nervous system, and other systems, by generating action potentials in response to stimuli. You will learn about; the role of ion channels and ion transporter proteins, the relationship between cellular structure and the function of excitable cells, the features of the synapse that underpin fast chemical neurotransmission and its modification, and the methods used to analyse or predict cell excitability. 
              
 

The aim of this module is to give students the strongest grounding in our current understanding of excitable cell pharmacology and physiology through study of the key elements of membrane excitability. It will also provide a solid theoretical framework in membrane excitability irrespective of which degree programme the students are pursuing. It will treat each area in a logical, fresh and exciting manner highlighting relevance to function and disease. In addition, students will be encouraged to think critically and to appreciate the special challenges intrinsic to studying excitable membrane function.

In relation to membrane excitability, students should be able to describe in detail: (i) the key governing principles, (ii) the role of ion channels and ion transporter proteins, (iii) the relationship between cellular structure and the function of excitable cells, (iv) the features of the synapse that underpin fast chemical neurotransmission and its modification, and (v) the methods used to analyse or predict cell excitability.   

Syllabus Lecture Content 

• Membrane structural organization and types of integral membrane proteins 
• Regulation of cell volume and contents including pHi and [Ca2+]i 
• Ion channels, selective ion permeability and membrane potential generation 
• The ionic basis of the action potential and diversity in excitable tissues 
• Functional diversity of voltage-gated ion channels and their pharmacology 
• Cell polarization in epithelia and neurones, and the role of compartmentalization 
• Cytoskeleton and the differential trafficking of membrane-targeted proteins 
• Electrical and chemical neurotransmission and transmitter-gated ion channels 
• Transmitter synthesis, vesicle exocytosis and recycling
• Synaptic integration and plasticity

eLearning Activities

There are two phases.

The first phase is a primer on the key electrical properties of the cell membrane and the role charged species such as ions and small molecules play in that context. It provides conceptual insights as to how these properties can be visualized to work and a reminder about the need to understand the use of SI units in scientific measurement.

The second phase involves the use of the Neuron simulation environment to examine how membrane potential is affected by changes in ion permeabilities. This focuses on how the equilibrium potentials for ionic species affects where membrane potential finds a new resting level after changes in these ionic permeabilities.

2 Phases of e-learning (5% each)  10%.

Numerical Assessment    10%

A choice of 2 from 4 numerical questions (organized into two sections of two question types each section) that are based on method outlines in the course with worked examples provided for each question type, to allow students to appreciate the predictive power of these methods and numerical analysis.                

Written exam     80%

On campus written exam (1.5 hours) comprising of 12 short answer and note question worth 80 marks in total. A model exam paper is provided that has the same format as the written exam with the indicative model answers to familiarize students with how the exam will look and the levels of detail expected. 

Use of in-session Mentimeter, Padlet discussion board in Blackboard and email to capture anonymised student questions. These questions are then used in the regular live question & answer sessions for discussion, and these are captured for the students in the associated podcasts and on-line lecture notes for these sessions. Written feedback is posted on Blackboard and provided in the final question and answer sessions. Feedback for the numerical assessment is provided on request in semester 4.