Neurobiology
Objectives
The main objective of this course is to provide a solid grounding in the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the synaptic transmission.
It is expected that by the end of the course students are able to: i) understand the functional organization of central and peripheral nervous system; ii) characterize structurally and functionally neurons and glial cells; iii) explain the mechanisms involved in an active synapse, and also how we can pharmacologically modulate its activity; iv) develop basic laboratory skills in the area of cellular and molecular neuroscience.
Finally, it is expected that students will develop skills in searching, understanding, and discussing the scientific literature in this field.
General characterization
Code
7633
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Margarida Casal Ribeiro Castro Caldas Braga
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 68
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
Previous Cell and Molecular Biology
Bibliography
D Purves, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, Hall WC, LaMantia AS, McNamara JO, Williams SM. Neuroscience. Sinauer Associates Inc Publishers, Sunderland, Massachusetts USA. 4th Ed.
Siegel GJ, Agranoff BW, Albers RW, Fisher SK, Uhler M. Basic Neurochemistry. Molecular, cellular and medical aspects. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 6th Ed.
Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessel TM (2000) Principles of Neural Science. McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 0838577016
Scientific papers (available in the moodle page)
Teaching method
Lectures will be based on textbook material and selected papers from the current literature.
Practical lessons include experiments, and analysis and discussion of the results.
Evaluation method
I) Frequency of Neurobiology 22-23
1.To obtain frequency to the discipline it is necessary to participate in 2/3 of the P/TP classes
2. Participation in TP / P classes is recorded on attendance sheets and / or uploadd of work on moodle
3. Absences on evaluation days do not imply carrying out the evaluation on another day
4. Medical certificates or other justification of absences will only be accepted up to one week after the last day of the absence
5. The working groups (G 1 - G 8) must be formed by students, from the Lab A shift +Lab B shift +. During the P classes, the students work individually or in group
6. Delays of more than 20 min in a Lab class prevent the student from attending that class
II) Evaluation
The final classification of the discipline 0-20 val) results from the sum of the classifications obtained in 4 components
1. Component of theoretical / practical evaluation: 2 tests or exam - 60% of the final classification, 12 val. Minimum grade 50% of the classification in the average of the 2 tests or in the exam for passing.
Tests to be scheduled at the CLIP
Final grade of this component results from the average of the 2 tests rounded up to the tenth
2. Practical assessment component: Questionnaire to answer in a group regarding data from the first P classes (CNS anatomy and SN cells) - 2 val To be uploaded in moodle (28.9.2023).
3. Practical evaluation component: Research work on neuron glia interaction and oral presentation of the work - 1 val. Delivery of written work uploaded in moodle and oral presentation (max 5 min) (12.10.2023)
4. Project evaluation component: Written work in group in the form of a mini-article with the results obtained in classes P relating to WB for glial cells in different brain regions - 5 val. To be delivered until 17.12.2023, 23:59 m
The Exame de Recurso will be on a date to be set in the CLIP
The improvement of the grade of the theoretical/practical assessment component (tests; max 12 val) can be performed by means of a Exame de Recurso.
For approval, the tests/Exame de Recurso grade must be 50% of the final grade and the sum of the grades of the 4 components must be equal to or greater than 9.5 val
Subject matter
1. Organization of the nervous system: Central and peripheral nervous system.
2. Characterization of neurons and glial cells and neuron-glia interaction.
3. Chemical and electric synapses.
4. The electric impulse and the action potential.
5. Axonal Transport
6. Neurogenesis
7. Definition of neurotransmitter. Classical neurotransmitters (Acetylcholine, excitatory and inhibitory aminoacids, catecholamines, serotonin) and neuropeptides: biossynthesis, metabolism, effects on post-synaptic cell and general physiologic effects.
8. Pharmacological modulation of synapses; potential therapeutic targets.
9. Effect of drugs of abuse and others in specific synapses.
10. Sensory systems: Sensation of touch.
Programs
Programs where the course is taught: