My Project- Neuron

For my project I will be reconstructing a single motor neuron and its responding effector muscle. I have decided to do my project on the neuron due to its interesting and essential aspect on all life processes. Neurons and their activities are the foundation for all living activity. Neurons process and transmit information by electrical and chemical signaling. Neurons are able to do this by connecting to each other in order to form networks. My project will specifically focus on one motor neuron transmitting an action potential (electrical signal) to an effector muscle fiber that results in muscle contraction. I found this particular part of the body very interesting because of the transmission of information to and from the brain is essential in all living organisms.

My neuron model will consist of an axon covered by a myelin sheath, the cell body or soma, the dendrites, and the muscle cell undergoing contraction. My model will demonstrate the action potential moving from the cell body, down the axon to the dendrites, and transmission to the muscle cell. The myelin sheath will be made out of colored plastic wrap bundled in groups around a thick nylon tubing. The nylon tubing will have lights running through the inside which will act as the action potential traveling down the neuron and will attach to the effector muscle fiber which will be made from a metal spring. The body will be designed and sewn together with a thick cloth-like material which will be wired to take shape of an actual soma (body). The nucleus is still in the process of being created.

Materials:

3 ft thick nylon tubing

8 ft thin plastic tubing

galvanized steel wire

string of lights

electrical wiring

plastic wrap

several different cloths

acrylic paint

glue