Propagation of Action Potentials: An Active Participation Exercise

Abstract

In this article, I describe an active participation exercise that demonstrates the propagation of action potentials along unmyelinated and myelinated axons. This activity helps students visualize processes involved in the generation and propagation of action potentials and demonstrates the advantages of myelination. Students may also use the exercise to review the ionic basis of neural signaling. Students in 2 courses perceived the exercise to be among the most helpful, interesting, and fun approaches to learning this material. Objective tests provided limited support for the efficacy of the exercise.