1. I. General Organization of the Nervous System
1.1. A. Definition of Physiology
1.2. B. Broad Divisions
1.2.1. 1. Central Nervous System (CNS)
1.2.2. 2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
1.3. C. Functional Parts
1.3.1. 1. Sensory Input Portion
1.3.2. 2. Central Nervous System (Integrative Portion)
1.3.3. 3. Motor Output Portion
2. II. Basic Functional Unit: The Neuron
2.1. A. Structure
2.2. B. Signal Transmission
3. III. Synapses and Neurotransmitters
3.1. A. Synapse Definition
3.2. B. Synaptic Functions
3.3. C. Types of Synapses
3.3.1. 1. Chemical Synapses
3.3.1.1. a. Presynaptic Terminal
3.3.1.2. b. Synaptic Cleft
3.3.2. 2. Electrical Synapses
3.4. D. Neurotransmitter Actions
3.4.1. 1. Acetylcholine
3.4.2. 2. Norepinephrine
3.4.3. 3. Dopamine
3.4.4. 4. Serotonin
3.5. E. Co-transmission
4. IV. Membrane Potentials and Action Potentials
4.1. A. Ion Concentration Differences
4.1.1. 1. Potassium (K+)
4.1.2. 2. Sodium (Na+)
4.1.3. 3. Chloride (Cl-)
4.1.4. 4. Nernst Equation
4.1.5. 5. Goldman Equation
4.2. B. Resting Membrane Potential
4.2.1. 1. Neurons
4.2.2. 2. Skeletal Muscle
4.2.3. 3. Sodium-Potassium Pump
4.2.4. 4. Potassium Leak Channels
4.3. C. Action Potential Generation
4.3.1. 1. Depolarization Stage
4.3.2. 2. Repolarization Stage
4.3.3. 3. Threshold for Excitation
4.3.4. 4. All-or-Nothing Principle
4.3.5. 5. Propagation
4.3.5.1. a. Saltatory Conduction
4.3.6. 6. Re-establishing Gradients
5. V. Sensory System
5.1. A. Sensory Receptors
5.1.1. 1. Mechanoreceptors
5.1.2. 2. Thermoreceptors
5.1.3. 3. Nociceptors (Pain Receptors)
5.1.4. 4. Electromagnetic Receptors
5.1.5. 5. Chemoreceptors
5.2. B. Differential Sensitivity
5.3. C. Labeled Line Principle
5.4. D. Receptor Potentials
5.5. E. Signal Intensity Transmission
5.5.1. 1. Spatial Summation
5.5.2. 2. Temporal Summation
5.6. F. Sensory Pathways to CNS
5.6.1. 1. Dorsal Column–Medial Lemniscal System
5.6.2. 2. Anterolateral System
5.7. G. Somatosensory Cortex
5.7.1. 1. Somatosensory Area I
5.7.2. 2. Somatosensory Area II
5.7.3. 3. Cortical Layers
5.7.4. 4. Somatosensory Association Areas (Brodmann's areas 5 and 7)
5.8. H. Lateral Inhibition
5.9. I. Corticofugal Signals
5.10. J. Dermatomes
6. VI. Motor Control
6.1. A. Levels of Control
6.1.1. 1. Spinal Cord Level
6.1.1.1. a. Anterior Motor Neurons
6.1.1.2. b. Interneurons
6.1.1.3. c. Propriospinal Fibers
6.1.2. 2. Brain Stem Level
6.1.2.1. a. Reticular Nuclei (Pontine & Medullary)
6.1.2.2. b. Vestibular Nuclei
6.1.2.3. c. Decerebrate Rigidity
6.1.3. 3. Cortical Level
6.1.3.1. a. Motor Cortex
6.1.3.1.1. i. Primary Motor Cortex
6.1.3.1.2. ii. Premotor Area (including Broca's Area)
6.1.3.1.3. iii. Supplementary Motor Area
6.1.3.2. b. Corticospinal (Pyramidal) Tract
6.1.3.3. c. Other Cortical Motor Pathways
6.1.3.4. d. Somatosensory Feedback
6.2. B. Muscle Sensory Receptors
6.2.1. 1. Muscle Spindles
6.2.2. 2. Golgi Tendon Organs
7. VII. Higher Brain Functions
7.1. A. Integrative Function
7.2. B. Memory
7.2.1. 1. Habituation (Negative Memory)
7.2.2. 2. Sensitization (Positive Memory)
7.2.3. 3. Consolidation
7.2.4. 4. Memory Trace Location
7.3. C. Thoughts and Consciousness
7.4. D. Language
7.4.1. 1. Wernicke's Area
7.4.2. 2. Broca's Area
7.4.3. 3. Pathways
7.5. E. Corpus Callosum and Anterior Commissure
7.6. F. Comparison to a Computer
8. VIII. Activating/Driving Systems and Neurohormonal Control
8.1. A. Brain Activity Control
8.1.1. 1. Reticular Excitatory Area (Bulboreticular Facilitory Area)
8.2. B. Neurohormonal Systems
8.2.1. 1. Norepinephrine System
8.2.2. 2. Dopamine System
8.2.3. 3. Serotonin System
8.2.4. 4. Acetylcholine System
9. IX. Limbic System and Hypothalamus
9.1. A. Limbic System Overview
9.2. B. Hypothalamus
9.2.1. 1. Control Functions
9.2.2. 2. Cardiovascular Regulation
9.2.3. 3. Temperature Regulation
9.2.4. 4. Thirst and Water Conservation
9.2.5. 5. Appetite Regulation
9.2.6. 6. Reproductive Functions
9.3. C. Hippocampus
10. X. Autonomic Nervous System
10.1. A. Overview
10.2. B. Divisions
10.2.1. 1. Sympathetic Nervous System
10.2.1.1. a. Origin
10.2.1.2. b. Pathways
10.2.1.3. c. Neurotransmitter
10.2.1.4. d. Effects
10.2.2. 2. Parasympathetic Nervous System
10.2.2.1. a. Origin
10.2.2.2. b. Pathways
10.2.2.3. c. Neurotransmitter
10.2.2.4. d. Effects
10.3. C. Autonomic Control Centers
11. XI. Brain Metabolism and Fluids
11.1. A. Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF)
11.1.1. 1. Regulation
11.1.2. 2. Measurement
11.2. B. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) System
11.2.1. 1. Formation
11.2.2. 2. Flow
11.2.3. 3. Function
11.3. C. Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
11.4. D. Brain Metabolic Rate
12. XII. Instability and Stability of Neuronal Circuits
12.1. A. Problem of Instability
12.2. B. Stabilizing Mechanisms
12.2.1. 1. Inhibitory Circuits
12.2.1.1. a. Inhibitory Feedback Circuits
12.2.1.2. b. Gross Inhibitory Control
12.2.1.3. c. Reciprocal Inhibition Circuit
12.2.2. 2. Synaptic Fatigue