Table 1.
Examples of color-key text to be used for introductory and advanced levels. Colors may vary depending on the creator of the game, but it is recommended to choose at least 6 colors to reflect complex changes in the cell membrane. Introductory level gameboards can provide additional detailed information to allow students to simply follow the directions and begin remembering the effects of each cable property on the action potential’s ability to propagate. More advanced courses may choose to offer less guidance and ask students to explain what the change in the axon would do to the action potential’s ability to propagate and why. Of note: summation in this case refers to the addition of sodium ions entering the cell which may be due to various changes in the cell such as sodium channel conductance or the driving force of sodium. While this may not happen under normal physiological conditions along the axon, it allows for students to understand the concept of summation of signals impacting the overall voltage of the cell. This is more relevant in synaptic summation at the dendrites or a change in the reversal potential for sodium due to experimental manipulation or disease, but it allows for good conversation regarding these concepts. Instructors may choose to omit this option all together.
| Gameboard Color-Key for Introductory and Advanced Levels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Color | Introductory Level | Advanced Level |
| Yellow | Node of Ranvier: Voltage-gated sodium channels have recharged your action potential to 100% | Node of Ranvier Potential questions: What happened to the action potential amplitude or conduction? What caused this? |
| Blue | Myelin Sheath: Increased membrane resistance – advance 2 spaces without signal decay | Myelin Sheath Potential questions: What does Myelin do to the action potential propagation? How does it impact membrane resistance? |
| Purple | Demyelination: Reduced membrane resistance – stay in place and reduce action potential amplitude by 10% | Demyelination Potential questions: What does demyelination do to the action potential conduction? How does it impact membrane resistance? |
| Red | Summation: Additional sodium cations have entered the cell – increase action potential amplitude by 10% | Summation Potential Questions: What happens with summation? How does summation impact the amplitude of an action potential? |
| Green | Increased Axon Diameter: Reduced axoplasmic resistance – advance 1 space without signal decay | Increased Axon Diameter Potential Questions: What does an increase in axon diameter do to action potential conduction? How does it impact resistance? |
| Pink | Decreased Axon Diameter: Increased axoplasmic resistance – skip next turn but do not reduce signal amplitude | Decreased Axon Diameter Potential Questions: What does a decrease in axon diameter do to the action potential conduction? How does it impact membrane resistance? |