Neuromuscular Physiology

Shazib Pervaiz, MBBS; PhD

Professor
Department of Physiology
MD9, #01-05
email: phssp@nus.edu.sg

Recommended texts:
•Human Physiology: An integrated approach by
Silverthorn
•Human Physiology: The mechanisms of body function by
Arthur Vander
 Overview of Lectures

Lecture 1: Concepts in membrane physiology

-trans-membrane transport

-membrane potentials
Lecture 2: Action Potential
-generation and propagation
-synaptic transmission
Lectures 3&4:Neuromuscular Junction
-motor end plate potentials
-muscle contractile response
-excitation-contraction coupling
-neuromuscular disorders
Figure 11-11: A phospholipid bilayer seen in cross-section.

hydrophilic

hydrophobic
Two views of a cell membrane.
The relative permeability of a synthetic lipid bilayer to different classes of
molecules.
Some functions of plasma membrane proteins
Some examples of substances transported
across cell membranes by carrier proteins
Passive and active transport
Carrier proteins and channel proteins
Three types of carrier-mediated transport
 A typical ion channel, which fluctuates
between “closed” and “open” conformations.
The gating of ion channels.
The distribution of ions giving rise to the membrane
potential
The role of K+ in the generation of the membrane
potential across the plasma membrane
The Na+-K+ ATPase pump
A model for the action of the Na+- K+ pump
Excitable tissues

•Neurons
•Muscle cells
 ACTION POTENTIAL

• Rapid, transient self-propagating electric

excitation in the plasma membrane of a cell
such as a neuron or muscle cell resulting
from a series of potential changes

• Action potentials allow long distance

signaling in the nervous system
Sub-threshold Graded Potential
Supra-threshold Graded Potential
Electrical Tracing of Action Potential
 Phases of Action Potential

Phase 0 (Resting Potential)

Phases of Action Potential

Phase 1
Phases of Action Potential

Phase 2
Phases of Action Potential

Phase 3
Phases of Action Potential

Phase 4
Summary of Action Potential
Propagation of Action Potential

Saltatory Conduction
Propagation of Action Potential

Saltatory Conduction
 Synaptic transmission can be classified in at
least three ways
Mechanism of synaptic transmission

• electrical transmission-direct
transmission flow of ions from one neuron to
another, hence direct influence of electric current from one
to another

• chemical transmission-neurotransmitter
transmission substance released
from pre-synaptic cell, diffuses across synaptic cleft,
produced effect on postsynaptic neuron
Dissection of the synapse
Summary of responses in postsynaptic cells
Spatial Summation
Temporal summation
Pre-synaptic inhibition
Post-synaptic inhibition
Long term potentiation
Injury to neurons