Download Action Potential Web Quest

Neuron & Action Potential Web Quest
Part 1 – Neurons
Go to http://www.childrenshospital.org/research/_neuron/index.html
Read the text associated with each part and answer the following questions.
1. What is a neuron? _________________________________________________________
2. Draw a neuron below and label the parts in the box below.
3. Summarize the function of each of the following parts of the neuron:
Soma (Cell Body) ________________________________________________________
Dendrites _____________________________________________________________
Axon _________________________________________________________________
Myelin Sheath _________________________________________________________
Terminal Buttons (axon terminals) __________________________________
Synapse _______________________________________________________________
Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/neuroscience/madneuron/
Play the game “Make A Mad Mad Mad Neuron” with Dr. Dedristein (use headphones if you have some)
4. My score was _____________ because _________________________________________
Part 2 – Other Cells in the Brain & Reward Pathway
Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/neuroscience/braincells/
Answer the following questions:
5. There are about ______________ neurons in the brain as well as ______________ of support cells called
_____________________.
6. There are 3 major types of glial cells. Name each of the 3 and explain their function:
7. Knowing more about gliotransmission can possibly shed light on which diseases/illnesses?
Part 3 – The Nerve impulse & Synapse
Go to http://www.bris.ac.uk/synaptic/basics/basics-2.html
8. Neurons maintain different concentrations of certain ions across their cell membranes. What ion is in high concentration
outside the neuron? _____________________
9. Which ion is in high concentration inside the neuron? ___________________
10. What specialized protein exists in the neural cell membrane? __________________________
11. What is its function? __________________________________________________________
12. Under resting conditions which ion leaks more, the sodium leaking inward or the potassium leaking outward?
13. The result of the leaks makes the outside of the cell charged ________ and the inside of the cell charged ________. The
cell is said to be ____________.
14. Since sodium is in high concentration outside of the cell what happens if the sodium channel opens in the membrane?
Which way does the sodium move? ________________________.
15. This makes the neuron momentarily ___________ charged. The cell is said to be ____________.
16. This switch in membrane potential is the _________________________.
17. What is the speed of an action potential directly related to?
18. What type of axon results in fast transmission rates?
19. What substance allows for rapid action potential?
20. What produces myelin in the:
Peripheral Nervous System?
Central Nervous System?
21. Where does an action potential take place on a myelinated neuron?
22. Why does an action potential happen faster on a myelinated neuron than an unmyelinated neuron?
23. What does the disease Multiple Sclerosis have to do with all this?
Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/neuroscience/crossingdivide/ (You will need headphones)
Click on “Crossing the Divide: How Neurons Talk to Each Other”
24. Explain the communication process in your own words
25. Explain the Reuptake Process