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Experiments in Human Neuromuscular Physiology v2.0

Source PCCAL, Univesity of Aston ISBN: 1 84211 002 0 Versions Available Internet Versions Programmer Dr F.J. Fitzpatrick Subject Specialist Dr Oliver A. Downing

Summary Screen shot from the package This package introduces the student to some of the apparatus (oscilloscope, stimulator) and the experimental techniques used to examine resting potential, action potential and nerve conduction. The student looks at intracellular recording, extracellular recording and also how to make recordings from a conscious human.

Contents Section 1: Simulator and Osilloscope Introduction to the apparatus used in these experiments ie the stimulator and the oscilloscope. The student can vary the controls of a simulated stimulator and oscilloscope to find out what each of the controls does (stimulator: frequency of stimulus, delay, output; oscilloscope: timebase, Y amplifier gain.) Section 2: Recording Bioelectric Potentials Ionic mechanisms underlying resting and action potentials in excitable cells. Methods of recording resting and action potentials in excitable cells using intracellular electrodes and extracellular microelectrodes. Section 3: Experiments on a Conscious Human Experimental setup used to measure impulses in a conscious human. Looking at a. how increasing stimulus strength to the nerve affects the amplitude of muscle action potentials and muscle contraction. b. summation of muscle contraction. c. nerve conduction velocity. The student also looks at the relationship between initiating muscle contractions voluntarily and initiating muscle contractions by artificial stimulation of the nerve.