Table of Contents

Preface; Part A. Foundations: 1. Introduction; 2. Electrophysiological methods; 3. The resting cell membrane; Part B. Nervous Conduction: 4. Electrical properties of the nerve axon; 5. The ionic basis of nervous conduction; 6. Voltage-gated channels; Part C. Synaptic Transmission: 7. Fast synaptic transmission; 8. Neurotransmitter-gated channels; 9. Slow synaptic transmission; 10. Synthesis, release and fate of neurotransmitter; 11. Learning-related changes at synapses; 12. Electrotonic transmission and coupling; Part D. Sensory Cells: 13. The organization of sensory receptors; 14. Mechanoreceptors; 15. Photoreceptors; 16. Chemoreceptors; 17. Some other sensory receptors; Part E. Muscle Cells: 18. Mechanics and energetics of muscle; 19. The contractile mechanism of muscle; 20. Activation of muscular contraction; 21. Varieties of muscle design; References; Index.

Promotional Information

Extensively revised and restructured new edition of classic text for students of physiology, neuroscience, cell biology.

Reviews

'This book provides a good overview of the subject matter. It includes discussion of a number of historically important experiments and data from a wide variety of species that will be of special interest to students and those seeking a broader context for recent advances in our knowledge of this subject. The numerous diagrams are clear, and often serve to clarify concepts presented in the text. The author's writing style is excellent - he has attained that delicate balance between including sufficient detail to interest knowledgeable readers, while maintaining exceptional clarity so that the book can be comprehended by those new to the field.' Quarterly Review of Biology