AnimG LogoAnimG

Action Potential β€” Neuron Firing

Audience: High SchoolCategory: Biology

Description

A neuron diagram with a voltage-time graph showing all phases of an action potential. Ion animations (Na+ rushing in, K+ rushing out) are synchronized with the graph. The signal propagates down the axon at the end.

Inspired by this animation?

Action Potential β€” Neuron Firing

Description

A neuron diagram with a voltage-time graph showing all phases of an action potential. Ion animations (Na+ rushing in, K+ rushing out) are synchronized with the graph. The signal propagates down the axon at the end.

Phases

# Phase Name Duration Description
1 Setup 4s Neuron diagram (cell body + long axon) appears, voltage graph axes
2 Resting Potential 4s Membrane at -70mV, Na+/K+ distribution shown, graph holds flat
3 Threshold 3s Stimulus arrow, membrane voltage rises to -55mV threshold line
4 Depolarization 5s Na+ channels open, Na+ rushes in, graph spikes to +40mV
5 Repolarization 5s K+ channels open, K+ rushes out, graph falls back toward rest
6 Hyperpolarization 4s Voltage dips below -70mV briefly (undershoot)
7 Return to Rest 3s Na+/K+ pump restores balance, voltage returns to -70mV
8 Propagation 8s Signal (wave of color) propagates down the axon
9 Summary 4s Key values labeled on graph, "All-or-Nothing" principle shown

Layout

+------------------------------------------------------+
|  Action Potential β€” Neuron Firing                    |
|                                                      |
|  [Neuron diagram β€” top half]                         |
|  (o)--- axon ----------------------------------------|
|  Na+ ↓↓↓ K+ ↑↑↑ (ion animation on membrane)         |
|                                                      |
|  [Voltage graph β€” bottom half]                       |
|       +40mV ─────  ↑ depolarization                  |
|         0mV ─────                                    |
|       -55mV - - -  threshold                         |
|       -70mV ─────  resting potential                 |
|              time β†’                                  |
+------------------------------------------------------+

Area Descriptions

  • Top portion: stylized neuron with cell body, dendrites, long axon, myelin sheaths
  • Middle: ion animation zone showing Na+ (red) and K+ (blue) crossing membrane
  • Bottom: voltage vs time graph with labeled phases

Assets & Dependencies

  • Fonts: LaTeX / sans-serif
  • Manim version: ManimCE 0.19.1

Notes

  • Na+: red/orange circles with "Na+" label
  • K+: blue/teal circles with "K+" label
  • Graph line traced in real time using VMobject path building
  • Resting -70mV, threshold -55mV, peak +40mV, undershoot -80mV
  • Propagation shown as a traveling colored glow along the axon