Foundations of electrophysiology

The book begins with a historical overview of electrophysiology, followed by a summary of basic electrochemical principles essential for understanding the subject. It then explores various electrophysiological methods, including data analysis techniques, ranging from whole animal measurements to single-cell assessments using microelectrodes and the patch-clamp technique. This section also briefly discusses ion-selective microelectrodes and the carbon-fibre technique. The subsequent chapter focuses on ion-selective channels, detailing the major conductance pathways in cell membranes and their specific characteristics. Essentials of membrane excitability are covered, emphasizing the Hodgkin-Huxley description of action potentials and synaptic transmission. Following this, the book presents carrier-mediated transport, illustrating the differences between carriers and channels through three examples and demonstrating how electrophysiological methods can aid in functional characterization. Finally, the text concludes with examples showcasing the integration of electrophysiology, molecular biology, and pharmacology, highlighting their application in understanding the structure, function, and regulation of membrane permeabilities that underlie cellular function.