Tutorial contains two types of files. 1. staroffice5.2 presentations (*.sdd) 2. chemesis scripts (*.g) The first staroffice presentation, UTSA-8nov02-rxn.sdd, explains why to model calcium dynamics and second messenger pathways, and reviews the equations and objects used to model biochemical reactions. The second staroffice presentation, UTSA-8nov02-cal.sdd, explains the equations and objects used to model calcium dynamics. Scripts will not run unless you first download and install Chemesis1.1. Order in which scripts should be run/examined: 1. reaction-tut.g This builds a cascade of three reactions, the ones listed in the last slide of the first presentation. If you haven't seen the presentation, then don't worry, the equations are typed into the top of the scripts. It also includes a graph function to display the results. 2. spine.g This is the main scripts for a slightly more complicated, and perhaps not as well explained, series of reactions. It adds a few reactions, and some stimulation paradigms. The next four scripts are calcium dynamics, and they build on one another. Each script calls a calgraph_.g to display results . cal1.g This is the first calcium dynamics simulation. It creates a single compartment with calcium, a calcium buffer, and the bimolecular reaction between the two. 4. cal2.g This adds a dendrite compartment with calcium and buffer, and diffusion between soma and dendrite. 5. cal3.g This adds calcium release through the IP3 receptor channel. There are no pumps, so calcium goes up, and doesn't come down. The functions to create release, included in separate files, are extremely complicated. 6. cal4.g This adds a SERCA pump. Now, in the presence of IP3, a calcium spike is generated.