Neurophysiology
Overview
Students will undertake a detailed study of the cellular basis of neural communication. Students will be able to apply this understanding to provide explanation of drug action, and understand the sensation and perception of pain. Students will gain skills in conducting simple laboratory procedures and interpretation of data. Completion of this unit will also provide students with an understanding of the role the nervous system has in regulation of body homeostasis.
Requisites
Anti-requisite
HET242 - Introductory Neurophysiology (Discontinued)
Equivalent
HET227 - Neurophysiology and HET242 - Introductory Neurophysiology and NEU20001 - Introductory Neurophysiology
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Explain the physiological basis of somatosensation, pain, olfaction, gustation, vision, hearing, balance and motor control
- Explain how nerve cells communicate with each other chemically and electrically, and how specific pharmaceutical drugs can affect nerve cell function
- Discuss the roles of the nervous system and the endocrine system in the control of the human body
- Compare and contrast skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle with particular emphasis on the relationship between structure and function
- Carry out and report the results of psychophysical and physiological recordings to measure the properties of nerves, muscles and sensory receptors in humans and in animal tissues
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Lecture | 24 | 12 weeks | 2 |
| On-campus | Practical | 12 | 6 weeks | 2 |
| On-campus | Class | 12 | 12 weeks | 1 |
| Specified Activities | Various | 24 | 12 weeks | 2 |
| Unspecified Activities | Independent Learning | 78 | 12 weeks | 6.5 |
| Total Hours: | 150 | Total Hours (per week): | 13.5 | |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final-Semester Test | Individual | 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Mid-Semester Test | Individual | 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Project Report | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Content
- Neural tissue; the basis of bioelectrical phenomena, resting potential, graded potential, and action potential
- Somatosensory system: touch, pressure, pain and temperature receptors
- Major afferent pathways; subcortical and cortical regions, sensory homunculus, sensory areas SI, Sll, psychophysics; perception
- Pain pathways and endogenous analgesia; pain suppression
- Neuropharmacology: Introduction to receptors; receptor activation, major antidepressant classes; drug dynamics, clearance, routes of administration; drug treatment in some clinical disorders
- Special senses (vision, hearing, equilibrium, taste, smell)
- Physiology of the motor system and the muscular system
- Electrophysiological recording techniques
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.