WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

Neural Impulses: The Action Potential in Action

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duration of stimulus
20
strength of stimulus
5
add TTX
add TEA
Neurons communicate with each other primarily through a distinctive electrical signal known as the action potential. With a stimulus of sufficient strength, the voltage of the neuronal membrane rapidly increases due to the influx of sodium ions and decreases due to outflux of potassium ions. The action potential can be modeled by solving the Hodgkin–Huxley equations, a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. In this Demonstration, you can visualize the effect of stimulus strength (in
µA
2
cm
), stimulus duration (in ms), and the chemicals TTX and TEA on the action potential and the conductances of the sodium and potassium channels in the neuronal membrane.