Muscle and Nervous Tissues

Laboratory Exercise 9
Background
Muscle tissues are characterized by the presence of elongated cells or muscle fibers that can contract. As they shorten, these fibers pull at their attached ends and cause body parts to move. The three types of muscle tissues are skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Nervous tissues occur in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. They consist of neurons (nerve cells), which are the impulse-conducting cells of the nervous system, and neuroglial cells, which perform supportive and protective functions.

Materials Needed
Textbook Compound light microscope Prepared slides of the following: Skeletal muscle Smooth muscle Cardiac muscle Nervous tissue

Purpose of the Exercise

Review the characteristics of muscle and nervous tissues and observe examples of these tissues.

Procedure
1. Complete Part A . 2. Using the microscope, observe the prepared slides of muscle tissue. Look for the special features of each type. Compare your prepared slides of muscle tissues to the micrographs included in this laboratory. 3. Observe the prepared slide of nervous tissue and identify neurons (nerve cells), neuron processes, and neuroglial cells. Compare your prepared slide of nervous tissue to the micrograph included in this laboratory. 4. Complete Part B. Make a sketch of each tissue.

Part A
Match the tissue type with the characteristics. Place the letter of your choice in the space provided. (Some answers may be used more than once.) ___ 1. Coordinates, regulates, and integrates body functions. ___ 2. Contains intercalated discs. ___ 3. Muscle that lacks striations. ___ 4. Striated and involuntary. ___ 5. Striated and voluntary. ___ 6. Contains neurons and neuroglial cells. ___ 7. Muscle attached to bones. ___ 8. Muscle that is found only in the heart. ___ 9. Moves food through the digestive tract. ___10. Transmits impulses along cytoplasmic extensions.

a. Skeletal muscle b. Smooth muscle c. Cardiac muscle d. Nervous tissue

Part B
Sketch each type of muscle tissue and nervous tissue in the spaces provided. Indicate their function and their location within the body.

Skeletal muscle (400x) Location _______________ Function _______________

Smooth muscle (400x) Location _______________ Function _______________

Cardiac muscle (400x) Location _______________ Function _______________

Nervous (400x) Location _______________ Function _______________

Micrographs of Muscle and Nervous Tissues

Skeletal muscle (400x)

Smooth muscle (400x)

Cardiac muscle (400x)

Nervous (400x)