C. U. M. Smith 
Elements of Molecular Neurobiology [PDF ebook] 

This edition of the popular text incorporates recent advances in
neurobiology enabled by modern molecular biology techniques.
Understanding how the brain works from a molecular level allows
research to better understand behaviours, cognition, and
neuropathologies. Since the appearance six years ago of the second
edition, much more has been learned about the molecular biology of
development and its relations with early evolution. This ‘evodevo’
(as it has come to be known) framework also has a great deal of
bearing on our understanding of neuropathologies as dysfunction of
early onset genes can cause neurodegeneration in later life.
Advances in our understanding of the genomes and proteomes of a
number of organisms also greatly influence our understanding of
neurobiology.

* Well known and widely used as a text throughout the UK, good
reviews from students and lecturers.

* Good complement to Fundementals of Psychopharmacology by Brian
Leonard.

This book will be of particular interest to biomedical
undergraduates undertaking a neuroscience unit, neuroscience
postgraduates, physiologists, pharmacologists.

It is also a useful basic reference for university libraries.

Maurice Elphick, Queen Mary, University of London

‘I do like this book and it is the recommended textbook for my
course in Molecular Neuroscience. The major strength of the book is
the overall simplicity of the format both in terms of layout and
diagrams.’

Table of Content

Preface.

Preface to the First Edition.

Preface to the Second Edition.

Introductory Orientation.

The Conformation of Informational Macromolecules.

Information Processing in Cells.

Molecular Evolution.

Manipulating Biomolecules.

Genomics.

Biomembranes.

G-protein-coupled Receptors.

Pumps.

Ligand-gated Ion Channels.

Voltage-gated Channels.

Resting Potentials and Cable Conduction.

Sensory Transduction.

The Action Potential.

The Neuron as a Secretory Cell.

Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators.

The Postsynaptic Cell.

Developmental Genetics of the Brain.

Epigenetics of the Brain.

Memory.

Some Pathologies.

Appendix 1. Molecules and Consciousness.

Appendix 2. Units.

Appendix 3. Data.

Appendix 4. Genes.

Appendix 5. Physical Models of Ion Conduction and Gating.

Acronyms and Abbreviations.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Index of Neurological Disease.

Index.

About the author

C. U. M. Smith is the author of Elements of Molecular Neurobiology, 3rd Edition, published by Wiley.