University of Minnesota
Bead Neuron
What do you call a skull without neurons? A no-brainer! A hands-on activity asks scholars to build a model of a neuron using beads. They use their models to study the parts of the neuron and their functions.
University of Minnesota
Connect the Neurons!
Create a neuron frenzy as your pupils play the part of the neurons. An engaging lesson creates a human chain of neurons that pass cotton balls posing as neurotransmitters. Scholars learn about pre- and post-synapses as they complete the...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Electrical Activity of Neurons
How do neurons that don't touch each other share information? Observe electrical activity traveling from neurons and learn what it takes to trigger action potential. A video discusses recent research manipulating neurons, how responses...
Ask a Biologist
Neuron Anatomy Activity
Reinforce the neural connections in the brains of your young biologists with a simple anatomy worksheet. Looking at the provided diagram of a neuron, students are asked to correctly identify and describe the function of each of the six...
Baylor College
Crossing the Synaptic Gap
As part of a unit on the chemistry of the brain, thinkers learn how chemicals work to transmit messages between individual neurons and how controlled substances impact the synaptic cleft. They do so by playing a dice-and-card game in...
Curated OER
Role Playing A Neuronal Transmission
Young scholars roleplay to review nerve communication and the parts of the neuron. Each student represents a different part of a neuron and as parts become polarized and depolarized they act it out. A surprise occurs at the synaptic...
Curated OER
The Nervous System
Human biology beginners label colorful diagrams of the neuron, the reflex pathway, and the brain. They list steps in the action potential process, and describe several different neurotransmitters. This worksheet guides learners through...
Curated OER
AP: Chapter 48: Nervous System
Human anatomy enthusiasts trace neurological pahtways in word and on a diagram, describe action potential of a nerve impulse, and identify the organs in the nervous system. Provide this to your biology class as a review before...
University of Minnesota
Neuropathfinding: Kinesthetic Model
Playing follow the leader has never been so interesting! Get the class up and moving while they take on the roles of nervous system components. Through trial and error, they learn the importance of the "pioneer" growth cone that leads...
Curated OER
The Nervous System
In this nervous system instructional activity, 9th graders define each term listed and then label the figure shown pertaining to the nervous system. Then they name three types of neurons and describe the function of each type.
University of Minnesota
Dendritic Spines Lab
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...
Curated OER
Neuron Word Scramble
In this brain word scramble worksheet, learners unscramble 7 sets of letters to form the words: axon, synapse, neuron, dendrite, myelin, soma, and nucleus.
Curated OER
The Drug Connection: Design-O-Synapse
Students study cholinergic neuromuscular pathway of acetylcholine release and develop a model for drug interaction at one specific neurological site. Working in teams, students can also research different drugs or poisons and produce a...
Curated OER
NEURONS, BRAIN CHEMISTRY, AND NEUROTRANSMISSION
Students examine the hierarchical organization of the brain, neuron, and synapse; explain the sequence of events involved in communication at the synapse; and that synaptic transmission involves neurotransmitters.
Curated OER
Nervous System
After reading through this presentation about nerve impulses, students should be able to complete the sentences given with the correct terms and scientific vocabulary. The basics of the ion channel behavior are detailed along with a...
Curated OER
The Domino Effect
Students model the transmission of neural impulses with dominoes. In this nervous system activity, students construct a device with dominoes. They use the device to model the way a nerve impulse is propagated from dendrite to axon.
Curated OER
Synaptic Transmission Worksheet
In this synaptic transmission worksheet, students determine how information is transmitted from one neuron to the next plus describe the function of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. This worksheet has 12 fill in the blank and 4...
Curated OER
Review for Strand 2A Test: Nervous System
Three pages containing 51 true and false questions make up this nervous system review. The major topics listed at the top of the test mention a film strip and a laboratory activity, but the questions appear to be answerable without...
University of Minnesota
WebQuest: Structure of the Nervous System
What could be more natural than learning about learning? Scholars research the central nervous systems and the learning process through a well-designed WebQuest. They study the structure as well as discover the functions of those...
Curated OER
Brain Cells
In this brain cells learning exercise, students learn about neurons. Students read about the different types of neurons and their life span. Students also study the neuron diagram and glial cells.
Curated OER
Role of Cerci in Escape Responses of the Cockroach
Learners investigate the changes in escape behavior in Madagascar Hissing Cockroahes when their sensory apparatus is removed. They use puffs of air at differnt angles to simulate a predator's approach then collect and analyze data on...
Curated OER
Drugs Change the Way Neurons Communicate
Students examine that certain drugs interfere selectively with neurotransmission, and realize that the effect of a drug is dependent upon dosage and route of administration.
Curated OER
Nervous Tissue
In this nervous tissue worksheet, learners list and describe the functions of the nervous system and its two principle parts. Then they list and give the function and location of the six types of glial cells. Students also describe two...
Curated OER
The Nervous System
For this nervous system worksheet, students read a paragraph explaining how electrical signals travel throughout the nervous system. Students complete 2 short answer questions based on the reading and a labeled diagram.