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Electrophysiology pp 23–62Cite as

Basics: Theory

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Abstract

Electrophysiology deals with the analysis of electrical properties and signals that can be studied in biological preparations. In the chapter on Basics: Theory, we presented some theoretical background that is essential for describing electrical phenomena at the cell membrane. In this chapter on Basics: Methods, we want to talk about Basic: Methods that will allow us to gain an understanding of the electrophysiological phenomena. When we discussed the GHK equation for the potential, we briefly mentioned how in excitable cells (nerve and muscle cells) the action potential is governed by changes in permeability ratios. In other cells the membrane potential is also determined by voltage- and time-dependent permeabilities, and these mechanisms essentially determine the function of a cell. Modifications in their properties often indicate dysfunction involved in diseases, or they have a physiologically regulatory function.

For analysis of permeability changes at a cell membrane, different techniques are available to the scientist. We shall now introduce and classify techniques by starting with methods that can be used in a living animal (for predominately medical-diagnostical (e. g. electrocardiogram (ECG)) or therapeutical (e. g. electroshock) purposes) going down to methods that allow investigation of the function of single membrane proteins, which are nowadays used extensively in elucidating structure–function relationships as well as protein dysfunction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Multi Channel Systems GmbH, Aspenhaustraße 21, 72770, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

    Jürgen Rettinger

  2. Shanghai Research Center for Acupuncture and Meridians, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Fudan University, Guoshoujing Rd. 199, 201203, Shanghai-Pudong, China

    Silvia Schwarz

  3. Institut für Biophysik, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany

    Wolfgang Schwarz

Authors
  1. Jürgen Rettinger
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  2. Silvia Schwarz
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  3. Wolfgang Schwarz
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Correspondence to Jürgen Rettinger .

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Rettinger, J., Schwarz, S., Schwarz, W. (2016). Basics: Theory. In: Electrophysiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30012-2_3

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