name: neurobiology
description: Nervous system biology
license: MIT
compatibility: opencode
metadata:
audience: neurobiologists, researchers, students
category: biology
What I do
- Study nervous system structure and function
- Investigate neuronal communication
- Analyze neural development
- Research synaptic transmission
- Study brain circuits and behavior
- Investigate neural disorders
When to use me
- When studying neuron structure and function
- When analyzing synaptic transmission
- When investigating neural development
- When researching neurological disorders
- When studying brain-behavior relationships
- When working with neural tissues
Key Concepts
Neuron Structure
- Soma: Cell body, contains nucleus
- Dendrites: Receive signals
- Axon: Conducts signals away
- Axon terminals: Release neurotransmitters
- Myelin: Insulation, saltatory conduction
Action Potential
# Simplified action potential model
def action_potential(V, thresholds):
"""
Model neuron firing.
V: Membrane potential (mV)
thresholds: Resting ~-70mV, firing ~-55mV
"""
if V < -55:
return 'resting'
elif -55 <= V < 30:
return 'depolarization'
elif 30 >= V >= -70:
return 'repolarization'
else:
return 'refractory'
# Ion channels involved
channels = {
'depolarization': 'Na+ channels open',
'repolarization': 'K+ channels open',
'refractory': 'Na+ channels inactivated'
}
Synaptic Transmission
- Action potential arrives at terminal
- Ca²⁺ influx triggers vesicle fusion
- Neurotransmitter release into synapse
- Binding to postsynaptic receptors
- Ion channel opening/closing
- Signal termination (reuptake, degradation)
Neurotransmitters
- Excitatory: Glutamate, acetylcholine
- Inhibitory: GABA, glycine
- Modulatory: Dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine
- Neuropeptides: Substance P, endorphins
By