Neurophysiology Virtual Lab

This interactive, modular lab explores techniques for identifying and recording the electrical activities of neurons, using the leech as a model organism.

In this lab, students investigate and map how neurons in the leech’s nervous system respond to different touch sensations. The lab includes sections on dissecting a leech specimen, measuring the voltage (potential) of a neuron in response to various stimuli, and injecting fluorescent dyes into neurons to visualize their morphology. Students engage in key science practices, including collecting data and interpreting graphs, and identify individual neurons based on their results.

The lab contains an interactive lab space, an informational notebook, and embedded questions. It also includes supplementary resources, such as background on the anatomy of a neuron, a review of the resting potential and the action potential, and a glossary of scientific terms.