1. Introduction to Neurobiology: Day 1

2. What is this class about?
Start with quick review of syllabus:
We are going to start with the most basic operating principles and build up an understanding of how nervous systems work.
Spend 8 weeks on one cell. Another 3 weeks on how two cells communicate. Then use this knowledge to understand how things like this happen
Optical illusion:
Clive wearing:

4. Optical illusion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVgOLWVYytM
Clive wearing:
We are going to build up an understanding of how nervous systems work.

5. About this room.

6. What is my approach to teaching this class
What is my approach to teaching this class? If you don’t believe me, then check out what last year’s students had to say.

7. Rules of the road
Respect – both ways.

8. Learning resources The course website: www.BIOL3833.net Canvas
Free online texts
Free online software
Your instructor!
Your classmates and your team
The internet

9. Learning activities Equizzes Quizzes Lectures In-class activities
Group activities
Homework
Exams

10. Today’s activity (your first two STEP points)
Personal information sheet
Talent release form

11. Go forth and prosper:
Install EOTN software (submit a screenshot of the program on your computer through Canvas for one STEP point)
Equiz 1 available NOW – feel free to start using it!

12. Introduction to Neurobiology: Day 2

13. The SORTING HAT has spoken!

14. Agenda: 1. Get to know your teammates, exchange contact information (~10 min) 2. Team activities (~30 min). 3. Lecture – basics of electricity and Ohm’s Law (~35 min)

15. The spaghetti-marshmallow challenge!!
20 sticks of spaghetti
Three feet of tape
Three feet of string
One marshmallow
Build the tallest free-standing structure that supports one marshmallow on top.
You have 18 minutes

16. The Big Picture for the semester: Neurons, Neural circuits, and Behavior
Neurons have intrinsic properties
Passive properties
Active properties
Intrinsic plasticity – changes in these properties
Neurons are organized into functional circuits defined by their network properties
Topographical properties (the wiring)
Synaptic properties (the strength of the connections)
Synaptic plasticity – changes in these properties
Neural networks produce behavior

17. Passive membrane properties

18. Start with passive properties of a spherical cell – the simplest case we have.

20. Passive Membrane properties
Basics of electricity
Ohms law
Resistors, Capacitors, and RC circuits
Biological membranes as RC circuits
Why are we starting here? Because neural systems are bioelectric signaling systems. What defines neurons is their electrical activity, so we need to have a very clear understanding of the key laws that govern electricity

21. Basics of Electricity Voltage: The separation of charge
Current: The movement of charge
Resistance: opposition to the movement of charge
Conductance: the opposite of resistance
CHALK TALK: Intuitive explanation of voltage, current, and resistance.

22. CHALK TALK: Intuitive explanation of voltage, current, and resistance.

23. V = IR Ohms Law is Central Voltage = Current * Resistance
CHALK TALK: The effects of changing voltage, resistance

26. Introduction to Neurobiology

27. Agenda: 1. Finish lecture on passive properties (~30 min) 2
Agenda: 1. Finish lecture on passive properties (~30 min) 2. Intro & Overview: Neural simulations (~15 min). 3. Begin first simulation assignment (~30 min) 4. Thursday: VERY brief lecture then complete simulations

28. Ohms Law is Central
V = IR
Voltage = Current x Resistance

29. Electrical Components
Voltage source – fixed voltage, infinite current
Current source – fixed current, infinite voltage
Resistors – oppose the flow of current
Capacitors – store & release charge

30. Thought experiment:
What happens if we apply a steady current to a resistor and measure the voltage across the resistor?

31. Capacitors Capacitors are funny things
Capacitors consist of two conductors separated by a very thin insulator.
Capacitors store and release charge
The capacitance is directly proportional to the surface area.
Draw this out on this page!

32. Thought experiment:
What happens if we apply a steady voltage to a capacitor and measure the voltage across the capacitor?

34. Another thought experiment:
What happens if we add a resistor in parallel with the capacitor and apply a current to the RC circuit?

37. t = Time Constant
The time required for an RC circuit to reach 63% of its final voltage (or decrease to 37% of its initial voltage)
t = RC
V(t) = V(0)e(-t/RC)

38. Why does this matter?

39. Because passive properties yield the most basic and the first line of information processing in the nervous system!
There are disease states that arise from failures of these mechanisms.
The functional specialization of many cell types starts with their passive properties.

40. The cell membrane as an RC circuit
The membrane exhibits resistance and capacitance
The primary passive properties of the cell
Resistance determined by open ion channels
Capacitance determined by cell size (surface area of membrane)
Gives rise to the membrane time constant
Resistance determines the magnitude of the membrane’s voltage response to an input current
Membrane time constant (resistance x capacitance) determines the speed and duration of the membrane voltage response

42. Homework (STEP point #3). Create and sign a team contract
Homework (STEP point #3) Create and sign a team contract Typed, and signed by all team members Upload your contract to Canvas