This solid introduction uses the principles of physics and the tools of mathematics to approach fundamental questions of neuroscience.

The predecessor to this book was A Guide to the Laboratory Use of the Squid Loligo pealei published by the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts in 1974. The revision of this long out of date guide, with the approval of the Marine Biological Laboratory, is an attempt to introduce students and researchers to the cephalopods and particularly the squid as an object of biological research. Therefore, we have decided to expand on its original theme, which was to present important practical aspects for using the squid as experimental animals. There are twenty two chapters instead of the original eight. The material in the original eight chapters has been completely revised. Since more than one method can be used for accomplishing a given task, some duplication of methods was considered desirable in the various chapters. Thus, the methodology can be chosen which is best suited for each reader's requirements. Each subject also contains a mini-review which can serve as an introduction to the various topics. Thus, the volume is not just a laboratory manual, but can also be used as an introduction to squid biology. The book is intended for laboratory technicians, advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, and all others who want to learn the purpose, methods, and techniques of using squid as experimental animals. This is the reason why the name has been changed to its present title. Preceding the chapters is a list of many of the abbreviations, prefixes, and suffixes used in this volume.

The squid giant synapse is the single most important model for investigating the transmitter release mechanism in chemical junctions. This unique book, by a leading expert in the field, gives a concise overview of all that has been learned about synaptic transmission in this superb model system. It covers in detail the biophysics of the voltage-dependent calcium currents, calcium concentration microdomains, and much of the molecular basis for the triggering of the secretory event. Ideal for graduate and undergraduate courses, the book includes PC and Macintosh versions of two programs for simulating and manipulating any aspect of synaptic transmission. One program is a modeling tool designed for working neuroscientists, and the other teaches the basic principles of synaptic transmission by allowing students to alter the parameters, essentially without limits, and see the effects on the action potential over time. Anyone studying this central topic of neuroscience will find this book an invaluable resource.

Crustacean preparations have been successfully used for more than 50 years to investigate the principles which enable nerve cells and neural circuitry to perform in a wide variety of functions. The proud record of information of general significance obtained from crayfish and lobster nervous systems testifies that the use of an experimental system precisely matching theoretical and experimental requirements ofa measurement is an essential part of the success. In some respects, the secondarily diversified vertebrate and mammalian nervous systems pose severe obstacles to experimentation and measurement, whereas the crustacean nervous system recommends itself by being composed of individual neurons of unique morphology and physiology, which can be used repeatedly in several preparations. Moreover, a restricted number of invariantly displayed behaviors enable the experimenter to correlate neuron activity with parts of the behavior easier. Experts use these advantages to focus on a well-defined neuron and mechanism and to take a convincing measurement within a minimum amount oftime. In this book distinguished neurobiologists, the leading experts in the field, have joined efforts to present research using crustacean experimental systems. Thus they have contributed comprehensive information regarding a nervous system other than that ofvertebrates and mammalians, that ofcrustaceans. The accumulated knowledge on the crustacean nervous system shows that it is clearly divergent in evolution but functions in a similar way to neuronal circuitry found in the vertebrate system and can be used to interpret it.