Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology introduces a novel approach to learning and teaching neuroscience. The molecular aspects of ionic channels (voltage and ligand-dependent channels) are clearly explained from a functional view point and with an hypothesis-driven approach firmly based on experiments. Once each channel is explained, it is summed up one-to-one to arrive at the explanation of the basic properties of excitable cells and secretory cells; action potentials, sensory receptor potentials, statistics of transmitter release and synaptic potentials. This building block approach to illustrate the functions of the neuronal plasma membrane also facilitates the explanation of more complex neuronal behaviors. With the aid of over 400 illustrations reconstructed from classical experiments, the chapters are organized to encourage students to ask questions in the face of an observation, to formulate hypotheses, to design experiments to test these hypotheses, and to draw critical conclusions from the results obtained. As a result, it is a book from which students like to learn.