NAME:
PHET Simulation- Neuron
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/neuron
The image shown represents a cross-section of the nerve axon. The yellow represents the plasma membrane
of the axon. The myelin sheath is not shown here. When you click “Stimulate Neuron,” you’ll notice a purple
and yellow thing moving down the length of the axon: this represents the action potential. You are not
observing the entire nerve cell, just a tiny fraction of its membrane but this is how one neuron communicates
with another.
In the box labeled “show,” start by checking all of the boxes. This will allow you to see everything that is going
on. Hit the “Stimulate Neuron” button on the lower right corner of the screen to simulate an action potential.
You can pause the activity at any time, scroll back on the potential chart to rewind, zoom in/out, and speed up
or slow down the animation. Take several minutes to play around with this simulation and get comfortable with
it. What happens when you check or uncheck boxes or click different buttons? You’re not going to break it, so
go ahead and click everything! After you’re comfortable with the various settings, use the simulation to answer
the questions below. Pro tip: You’re going to need to zoom in and change the speed to really understand
what’s happening as you work through these questions. When you’re ready to start answering questions,
check ALL of the boxes in the section labeled “Show.”
1. Observe the membrane closely while the axon is at rest.
a. Which membrane channels are open?
b. Which are closed?
2. Are there more open or closed channels present in the membrane when the axon is at rest?
3. The concentrations of sodium and potassium ions are different inside and outside the membrane. Which
direction will sodium ions move as a result of facilitated diffusion through the “leak” channels? Potassium ions?
(HINT : LOOK AT THE NUMBERS IN THE BRACKETS- REMEMBER DIFFUSION IS MOVEMENT FROM
HIGH CONCENTRATION TO LOW CONCENTRATION)
Sodium (Na+):
Potassium (K+):
4. Which side of the neuron is negatively charged - inside the neuron or outside?
a. This simulation only shows positively charged ions. How can one side of the membrane have a net negative
charge in this scenario? What must be present but not shown in the image?
5. Now it’s time to stimulate your neurons! 6. On the axes provided, sketch the graph that is generated when
you click “stimulate neuron” then pause after about 6 ms when the signal is complete. Check the box that says
potential chart. Use the vertical blue slider on the graph to review what happens to the neuron at that point on
the graph. You may want to zoom in to get a better look.
At Rest (0-2ms) Peak of Action Potential Immediately After Action
(~2.7ms) Potential (4 ms)
Membrane Potential
(mV)
Which side of the inside/ outside inside/ outside inside/ outside
membrane has a net
negative charge?
Which side of the inside/ outside inside/ outside inside/ outside
membrane has a greater
concentration of sodium
ions?
Which side of the inside/ outside inside/ outside inside/ outside
membrane has a greater
concentration of
potassium ions?
State of the gated open/ closed open/ closed open/ closed/ closing
channels?
6. Which gated channel opens first (during the upstroke)?
7. Which opens second (during the peak/downstroke)?
8. What direction are sodium ions moving through the sodium gated channel?
9. What direction is potassium moving?
10. What is happening to the membrane potential as each of these channels open?
Click play again and observe the “Stimulate Neuron” button throughout the course of the action potential. It
turns gray, indicating that it is not available to be clicked. This actually represents an important concept in
neuron function, the refractory period. This is a period after the action potential occurs during which a second
action potential cannot be propagated.
11. What is the membrane potential when you can stimulate the neuron again? How does this compare to the
resting membrane potential?
12. After analyzing this simulation, how would you describe a neural impulse?
