Activity Neurophysiology – Chemical
Purpose: To help students understand neuro-communication between cells
Objectives: Role play a neural pulse
Materials:
Instructions for neural pulse.
Student preparation: Students will read about the neural pulse in their textbook and a computer based quiz program.
Procedure:
- Students sit in parallel rows and columns to form a symmetrical grid.
- Students are instructed to raise their left hand when they are tapped and tap the person in front of them.
- Explain to students that each student represents a neuron. The tap from one person to the next represents the chemical communication between cells. When the students raises their hand this symbolizes the firing of the neuron. Firing is all or nothing. Student either raise their hands or they don’t.
- Some students may want to observe rather than participate.
- When students understand what they are supposed to do, give the signal for students in the back to “fire” (tap the student in the row ahead of them.)
- Explain that this is a model of the way that neurons communicate between each other.
Adapted from: Kasschau, R.A. (2008). In Benjamin L. T. Jr. (Ed.), Favorite activities for the teaching of psychology. Washington, DC US: American Psychological Association.