Duration of the online course: 6 hours and 38 minutes
New
Master synapses, action potentials and cranial nerves with a free neuro physiology course—clear lessons, practice questions and certificate-ready skills.
In this free course, learn about
Synaptic transmission basics: calcium-triggered vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release
CNS vs PNS organization, including key structures and where they belong
Neuron structure and function: dendrites increasing receptive surface area
Membrane potentials: RMP determinants, intracellular ion distribution, and K+ permeability
Nernst and Goldman equations: how ion gradients/permeabilities set membrane voltage
Action potentials: Na+ vs K+ channel kinetics, depolarization, and all-or-none vs local response
Myelin effects on conduction (saltatory propagation) and fiber susceptibility to pressure
Course Description
Understanding how the nervous system works is a game-changer for anyone studying health or working close to patient care. This free Neuro Physiology course helps you connect foundational biology to real clinical reasoning, so terms like synapse, myelin, resting membrane potential, or visual pathway stop being memorized facts and start becoming a coherent system you can explain.
You will build a strong intuition for neuronal communication, from calcium-driven neurotransmitter release to how signals travel along nerve fibers. As you progress, you will learn to interpret core electrical principles that govern nerve excitability, including resting membrane potential, ion gradients, and why sodium and potassium channels behave so differently during depolarization and repolarization. These concepts are essential for making sense of normal physiology and for understanding what changes in disease states.
The course also strengthens your neuroanatomy map, guiding you through the organization of the central and peripheral nervous systems and the practical significance of that division. You will connect structures to function across major cranial nerves, including olfaction, vision, and facial sensation and motor control. By following the logic of pathways like the optic nerve and visual system, you will be better prepared to reason about what happens when a lesion occurs and what symptoms it can produce.
To make the learning stick, you will practice with targeted questions that reinforce the why behind each answer. This approach is especially helpful if you are preparing for exams, returning to study after a break, or trying to translate classroom knowledge into bedside understanding. You will also see how neurophysiology relates to common clinical topics such as glaucoma pharmacology and dopaminergic pathways, bridging mechanisms to the problems healthcare professionals encounter in real life.
Whether you are a student in the health sciences, an aspiring clinician, or simply curious about how the brain and nerves communicate, this course gives you a structured, practical route to mastering neurophysiology concepts with confidence and clarity.
Course content
Video class: The Synapse | Neuro | Biology08m
Exercise: What role does calcium play in neurotransmitter release at the synapse?
Video class: Introduction to Neuroanatomy - Learn the Basics - Neuroanatomy Playlist32m
Exercise: What component of the nervous system is specifically identified as being located in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and not the central nervous system (CNS)?
Exercise: Which structure is part of the central nervous system?
Exercise: Which of the following statements is true regarding the organization of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system?
Video class: Neuroanatomy | Olfactory Nerve, Olfaction27m
Exercise: Which cranial nerves are considered part of the autonomic nervous system and possess parasympathetic functions?
Exercise: Which cranial nerve is responsible for carrying sensory information related to smell?
Video class: Optic Nerve30m
Exercise: Which cranial nerve is considered a part of the central nervous system despite being classified as a peripheral nerve of the cranial group?
Exercise: What is the myelin-producing cell type for the optic nerve?
Exercise: Which of the following statements about the optic nerve is correct?
Video class: Visual Pathway27m
Exercise: Which of the following best represents the function of the optic nerve?
Exercise: What is specifically true about the optic nerve compared to other cranial nerves?
Exercise: In the visual pathway, where do the nasal fibers of the optic nerve cross to the opposite side?
Video class: Trigeminal Nerve...5th Cranial Nerve (CN V) — Ophthalmic (V1), Maxillary (V2), and Mandibular (V3)34m
Exercise: Which cranial nerve is responsible for both sensory and motor functions and is involved in muscles of mastication?
Exercise: Which of the following cranial nerves supplies both sensory and motor functions to the face and jaw muscles?
Video class: Glaucoma Pharmacology | 5-Minute Review08m
Exercise: What is the primary pathophysiological definition of glaucoma?
Exercise: In the management of glaucoma, which pharmacological approach helps to decrease aqueous humor secretion by directly inhibiting the beta receptors in the ciliary body?
Video class: Neurotransmitters - Dopamine06m
Exercise: What symptom is most likely to occur due to a deficiency of dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway?
Exercise: What happens during depolarization as part of the nerve impulse process?
Video class: Neuro Cases (with answers)- TrueLearn Qbank - Vignettes18m
Exercise: Which cranial nerve is likely affected by a fracture of the crista galli?
Exercise: A patient is experiencing difficulty with balance and has a loss of proprioception. Which structure in the central nervous system is most likely affected?
