This document contains a complex exercise on neurobiology. It focuses on “Pain” as an application of knowledge about chemical synapses and neuronal signal modulation. 

It can be used as practice for an upcoming exam, or it can be used as an exam itself.

The exercise is tailored to require 60 min of work when done in "one sitting" and in writing.

It includes the solutions and references to the following competencies:

-        I can purposefully extract information from written sources.

-        I can display similarities and differences of circumstances, objects, organisms or processes in a verbal or tabular manner.

-        I can describe diagrams formally.

-        I can describe the data depicted in a diagram.

-        I can analyze and interpret the data depicted in a diagram.

-        I can form justified hypotheses on scientific questions.

-        I can name the parts of a neuron and describe their respective functions.

-        I can explain how the specialized structure of a neuron facilitates its functionality.

-        I can describe and compare different kinds of membrane potentials (RP, AP, PSP (IPSP, EPSP)).

-        I can describe and compare continuous and saltatory impulse transmission.

-        I can explain the all-or-none law.

-        I can describe the process of impulse transmission at chemical synapses.

-        I can describe and explain the conversion of an action potential into a postsynaptic potential (IPSP, EPSP) at a chemical synapse, and I can give reasons for the significance of this process.