PreLab – Neuron Circuit Model                  Name:

 

As the battery approaches full charge, the charge flow will stop        Q = VC;        V = IR

Charging:        VC = ε (1 - e-t / RC)

                   I = (ε /R) e-t / RC

                   ln(I) = ln(ε / R)  – t / RC

 

Conversely, when the switch is thrown, in Figure 2, the capacitor starts discharging, initially the charge flow is greatest in the opposite direction while the voltage is dropping quickly.

 

Discharging:  VC = Vo e-t / RC

                        I = -Vo/R e-t / RC

                        ln(I) = ln (-Vo / R)  – t / RC

 

1.     The most common name for Figure 1 is a(n)  ______ circuit.   

Hint:  Check your lab manual

 

2.    As discussed in Capacitors Pre-Lab and Neuron Circuit Model lab manual, t is called the _______; where t = RC.

 

Figure 5 represents the 3-step process for modeling the electronic pulse of the neuron.

 

 

3.    The first step represents charging across the large resistance of the ___________.             

 

 

4.    The second step represents the opening of the lower resistance ______ channel.

 

 

5.    The third step represents the opening of the very low resistance ________ channel causing a rapid discharge.

Below is data similar to today’s lab that is analogous to charging a neuron across its cell membrane that introduces a resistance of 3 MW.  Analyze the data as requested in the lab manual.

 

            y      =    m    x     +         b

          ln(I)   = (-1/τ)   t    +   ln (ε / R)

 

 

  1. Solve for the capacitance of this “capacitor”. 

 

  1. Solve for the power supply/battery, ε, voltage?

(Note:   To solve for ε to simplify you should

use SI units and plot in Amps, not μA.)

 

 

 

time (sec)

0

15

30

45

60

75

I (μA)

82

74

67

60.5

54.5

49

  Use LineFit  (or your favorite method) to graph the above data