MEMBRANE POTENTIAL · READOUT AT HILLOCK
● SPIKE−70.0mV
Click the synapses on the neuron (or the buttons at left) to send inputs. Excitatory inputs (EPSPs) nudge the membrane toward threshold; inhibitory inputs (IPSPs) pull it away. When the summed potential at the axon hillock reaches −55 mV, an action potential fires and travels down the axon.
| 1 2 3 | fire synapse A / B / inhibitory |
| space | pause / resume |
| R | reset |
| L M | toggle labels · myelin |
After each spike the dashed threshold line jumps up and decays back: the refractory period. Inputs that arrive too soon can't fire a second spike (only a much stronger drive can, once the absolute period ends).
Scale notes: voltages (rest −70, threshold −55, peak +40 mV) and millisecond timings are realistic, but time is slowed ~150× so you can watch. With myelin on, the true speed-up (15–100×) is compressed to stay visible.