Neuron Firing Simulation

Neuron Simulation: Action Potentials & Synaptic Transmission

This neuron simulation focuses on the biophysics of a single nerve cell, letting students manipulate ion channel conductance to generate and analyze action potentials based on Hodgkin-Huxley-style dynamics. Learners can adjust sodium and potassium channel gating, vary stimulus intensity to find threshold, and trace the sequence of depolarization, repolarization, and refractory periods. A dedicated synaptic section shows how neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft bind postsynaptic receptors to produce graded potentials in the next cell.

What you can do in this simulation

• Apply stimuli of varying intensity and observe whether the neuron fires an all-or-nothing action potential
• Trace the roles of voltage-gated Na⁺ and K⁺ channels during depolarization and repolarization
• Visualize the refractory period and understand why action potential frequency is limited
• Simulate synaptic transmission: vesicle release, neurotransmitter diffusion, and receptor binding
• Compare excitatory (depolarizing) and inhibitory (hyperpolarizing) postsynaptic potentials

Concepts covered

action potential · resting membrane potential · ion channels · synaptic transmission · neurotransmitters · Hodgkin-Huxley model

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