PHAR 750 - Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Excitability

(3 units)

Focuses on the molecular biological and biophysical characteristics and pharmacological properties of voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, and other ions transport proteins in a variety of excitable cells. (Limited to students seeking Master’s and Ph.D. degrees.)

Grading Basis: Graded
Units of Lecture: 3
Offered: Other

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. explain the basic principles underlying resting membrane potential, action potentials, and action potential propagation in excitable cells.
2. describe the common approaches used to record and analyze membrane potentials and membrane currents in single cells as well as multicellular preparations.
3. describe the structural and functional characteristics of the major categories of voltage-gated ion channels found in various nerve and muscle preparations.
4. explain the ionic basis of excitability specific to neuronal as well as cardiac and smooth muscle preparations.
5. explain the basis for synaptic transmission of electrical impulses between excitable cells, including the structural and functional properties of the major categories of ligand-gated ion channels involved at various synapses.
6. describe examples of ion channel mutations and how they are related to various disease states.

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