1. Possible Alternatives to Using an Oscilloscope for Measuring Action Potential in the Cockroach Leg Laboratory Matthew Croft Somerset High School

2. Summary  While the Measuring Action Potential in the Cockroach Leg Laboratory is interesting and worthwhile, the equipment is not commonly found in a typical high school science department.  In addition, students may have difficulty operating oscilloscopes and obtaining data.  Several alternatives to using oscilloscopes are discussed.

3. #1. The Poor Man’s Oscilloscope

4. Introduction  Source: www.ledametrix.com/oscope/  It may be possible to construct a poor man’s oscilloscope using a 3.5mm audio cable that has been separated into three wires and attached to fine pins:

5. Measuring Action Potential  Oscilloscope Software  Example:  Audio Editing Software  Examples:

6. Measuring Action Potential  Sample Data from Audacity:  Speaker (similar to what we did in lab without the oscilloscope)

7. Benefits & Drawbacks BenefitsDrawbacks Oscilloscope Software -Closest to original lab -Quantitative data with graph -Data can be saved -Purchase of Software -Possible damage to computer -Signal is not amplified Audio Editing Software -Free software is available -Quantitative data with graph -Data can be saved -Data is not collected in mV -Possible damage to computer -Signal is not amplified Speakers -Audio response can be rewarding to students -Data is not quantitative -Probably not feasible without amplifier

8. #2. Multimeter

9. Introduction  It may be possible to measure action potential on a multimeter set on mV.

10. Benefits & Drawbacks BenefitsDrawbacks Multimeter -Readily available -Easy to use -May not be sensitive enough -Data is not displayed in graphical format -Signal is not amplified

11. #3. Vernier Sensors

12. Introduction  Vernier LabPro and LabQuest allow you to use a wide variety of sensors to collect information. Data can be analyzed in LoggerPro.

13. Possible Sensors  Voltage Probe

14. Possible Sensors  EKG Sensor

15. Benefits & Drawbacks BenefitsDrawbacks Voltage Probe -Comes standard with LabPro -Quantitative data with graph -Will not damage computer -Data can be saved and LoggerPro allows for advanced data analysis -Purchase of Hardware & Software -Probe may not be sensitive enough -No ground wire -Measurements are in V EKG Sensor -Quantitative data with graph -Will not damage computer -Three leads -Measurements are in mV -Data can be saved and LoggerPro allows for advanced data analysis -Purchase of Hardware & Software -Probe may not be sensitive enough Ulf thinks it will work!