H02 Compartmental Modeling

This BSL PRO Lesson examines the principle of compartmental modeling, which is based on the fact that electrical circuits can describe and simulate neural, biochemical, and biomechanical systems. Gerald Westheimer published the first quantitative saccadic eye movement model in 1954. He examined a 20° saccade recording, and assumed a step controller, to propose this second-order model to characterize eye motion.

Experimental Objectives

1. Explore Westheimer’s saccadic eye movement model, which represents the eye as a second-order system.
2. Record eye motion via EOG setup.
3. Compare recorded EOG to modeled results.

Tasks Performed by the Student

• Record the subject with a 20° saccade.
• Record the subject with a 40° saccade.
• Create the original Westheimer model.
• Adjust the model for a 20° saccade and again for a 40° saccade.
• Measure actual results and compare to the adjusted model.

Student Prep & Distance Learning

Click the link(s) below for sample data and/or lesson procedure video(s), BSL PRO Lesson procedures (PDF) for human lessons*, and graph template files (*.gtl) for BSL PRO Lessons. If more than one .gtl is available, download the .gtl with the _suffix to match BSL version and hardware.

• BSL PRO Lesson H02 (PDF)
• Graph template for BSL PRO Lesson H02
• Graph template for 4 PRO Lesson H02

Lesson Hardware

This lesson requires a Biopac Student Lab (BSL) System and the following hardware. If your BSL System does not include all hardware items, expand your system by selecting required items below. For more details, review the Lesson: L# BSL Lessons - see the Lab Manual or launch BSL; A# and H# BSL PRO Lessons, click the PDF link above to review full setup, recording, and analysis procedures.