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Related Concept Videos

Action Potential01:31

Action Potential

8.2K
Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they...
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Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation01:28

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation

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The action potential is a complex electrical event that occurs in excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. It consists of several distinct phases, each with specific characteristics.
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...
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Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

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Overview
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Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)01:32

Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

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Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
3.2K
Propagation of Action Potentials01:23

Propagation of Action Potentials

6.5K
The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
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Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

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Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
693

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Modeling Biological Membranes with Circuit Boards and Measuring Electrical Signals in Axons: Student Laboratory Exercises
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Modeling Biological Membranes with Circuit Boards and Measuring Electrical Signals in Axons: Student Laboratory Exercises

Published on: January 18, 2011

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Active Learning: Action Potential and Clinical Applications in Neuroscience Medical Education.

L A Fowler1, N Ivey1, W M Schmidt1

  • 1University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Rd, Greenville, SC 29605 USA.

Medical Science Educator
|October 24, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Active learning strategies enhance medical student engagement and collaboration. An innovative activity on action potentials improved understanding, application, and retention of clinical relevance.

Keywords:
Action potentialActive learningClinical applicationsNeuroscience

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Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises
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Area of Science:

  • Medical Education
  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Active learning promotes engagement and collaboration in adult learners.
  • Understanding action potentials is crucial for medical students.
  • Clinical applications of physiological concepts require effective learning strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate an innovative active learning activity for medical students.
  • To enhance the understanding, application, and retention of action potentials and their clinical relevance.

Main Methods:

  • Implementation of an innovative active learning activity focused on action potentials.
  • Engagement of medical students in collaborative learning exercises.
  • Assessment of student understanding, application, and retention of the topic.

Main Results:

  • The active learning activity significantly increased medical students' understanding of action potentials.
  • Students demonstrated improved application of action potential concepts to clinical scenarios.
  • Enhanced retention of the clinical relevance of action potentials was observed.

Conclusions:

  • Innovative active learning approaches are effective in medical education.
  • Engaging students in collaborative activities improves learning outcomes for complex physiological topics.
  • This method successfully bridges the gap between basic science and clinical practice for action potentials.