Nervous System Lab Report

Susy Cardona

This lab report addresses the main parts of the nervous system and how it all works. The
nervous system consists of the spinal cord, brain, and all of the nerves that connect these
organs with the rest of the body. It is made up of cells known as neurons. The neurons carry
messages called nerve impulses. The nerve impulses are electrical impulses that can travel
very quickly through one end of a neuron to the other by a result of electrical changes through
the membrane of the neuron. Nerve impulses can be stopped by neurotoxins. Neurotoxins have
a role in sending these signals. There are different types of neurotoxins that can either poison,
block a channel producing, or destruct the nervous system. For more information on toxin and
their effects look at Table 1. The central nervous systems consists of the brain and the spinal
cord. The spinal cord goes from the brain all the way to the spinal column. The spinal cord
receives information from muscles, joints, and skin and also controls all your movements. The
brain receives information from your body. They use this information to send out the right
instructions to your body. A sheep brain labeled and the functions are below on Figure 1 and
Table 2. The peripheral nervous system consists of the cranial and spinal nerves outside of the
brain. The peripheral nervous system helps the body respond to its environment. For example
things your nose is smelling, stuff your eyes are seeing, etc. Below on Figure 2 and Table 3,
there is more information on the nerves. The spinal nerves of the spinal cord are also part of the
peripheral nervous system. On Figure 3 and 4, the spinal cord and the spinal nerves are
labeled. The spinal nerves carry signals between the spinal cord and the body. On the lab
performed, the students were testing their reflexes on different tests with a reflex hammer. They
were able to tell how fast the brain reacts after getting a message from the nervous system. On
Table 4 below, the results from the lab were posted. Also, there are numerous nerves that
transfer information from the eye to the brain. There is a pathway of light through the eye. Light
passes through the structures so we can see. The lens focus the light to a point. If the lights
ever gets stopped, you would not be able to see. Below on Figure 5, there is the structures of
the pathway labeled.

Table 1- Neurotoxin Table

Toxin Effects

Maculotoxin Blocks sodium channels

Latrotoxin Enhances acetylcholine release

Bungarotoxin Blocks acetylcholine (nicotinic) receptor

Tentrodotoxin Blocks sodium channels

Apamin Blocks potassium channels

Charybdotoxin Blocks potassium receptors

Conotoxin One type blocks voltage-sensitive calcium

channels; one blocks voltage-sensitive
sodium channels; one blocks ACh receptors)
 Batrachotoxin Causes voltage gated sodium channels to
open at a more negative membrane potential
& also prevents their inactivation.

Synthetic Toxin Destroys the myelin covering your optic

nerves & motor neurons

Potassium Causes irritation to the cell & causes

depolarization to glial cells.

General Anesthetic Opens more potassium channels in neurons

of the reticular formation in the brainstem

Sodium Channel with a Different Mutation Alters voltage sensitivity of the sodium
channel so that it only opens at more positive
membrane potentials

Dendrotoxin K Blocks voltage gated potassium channels in

no time

Abnormality of the Sodium Protein Channel Produces channels that are nonfunctional

FIgure 1A- Sagittal view of the sheep brain with major structures labeled. Photo by author.
Figure 1B- Dorsal view of sheep brain with major structures labeled. Photo by author.

Figure 1C- Ventral view of sheep brain with major structures labeled. Photo by author.

Table 2- Sheep brain structures and functions.

Structures Functions

Cerebellum Coordinate voluntary movement & balance

Corpus Callosum Carrying messages

Hypophysis (Pituitary gland) Secretes & controls hormones

Thalamus Directs messages & transmits replies

 Ventricle Holding chambers for cerebrospinal fluid

Superior Colliculus Tracking movement of eye

Olfactory bulb Sense of smell

Medulla oblongata Controls vital centers

Pons Relays sensory info

Spinal cord Sends information

Midbrain Responsible for hearing & sight

Pineal Gland Produces serotonin & melatonin

Optic chiasma Optic nerves cross

Figure 2- Ventral view of a sheep brain with nerves labeled. Photo by author.
Table 3- Cranial nerve assessment results.
Cranial Nerve Motor or Where Test Results of Assessment
Sensory does the performed Tests of Nerve
or Both nerve Function
innervate?

Olfactory (I) Sensory Lining of Smell coffee Positive Normal

cavity beans

Optic (II) Sensory Vision Vision Positive Normal

detected by
light of pupil

Oculomotor (III) Motor Eye Eye Positive Normal

movement up
& down

Trochlear (IV) Motor Eye Move q-tip Positive Normal

inward &
downward

Trigeminal (V) Both Eye, Mouth, Touch are of Positive Normal

Jaw face with
cotton

Abducens (VI) Motor Eye Ability to Positive Normal

move each
eye

Facial (VII) Both Taste Ability to Positive Normal

move the
face

Vestibulocochlear Sensory Ear Tuning fork to Positive Normal

(VIII) check our
hearing &
balance

Glossopharyngeal Both Throat Tuning fork Positive Normal

(IX)

Vagus (X) Both Control of Swallowing Positive Normal

muscles
 Accessory (XI) Motor Neck, Partner puts Positive Normal
Shoulders pressure on
neck &
shoulder

Hypoglossal (XII) Motor Mouth Stick out Positive Normal

tongue

Figure 3- Transverse view of the spinal cord of a mink. Photo by author.

Figure 4A- Mink leg spinal nerves labeled. Photo by author.

Figure 4B- Medial view of the mink spinal nerves labeled.

Figure 4C- Superior view of the mink spinal nerves labeled. Photo by author.

Table 4- Reflex assessment results from two labs put together.

Tested Reflex Left Right Tests for Results Comments
Results Results Varying
Conditions

Biceps ++ ++ C5 & C6 Had on a Stronger left

jacket. reflex

Triceps ++ ++ C7 & C8 Had on a Weak refle.

jacket.

Brachioradialis ++ ++ C5 & C6 None Weak reflex

Hoffman +++ +++ Pyramidal None Strong reflex

tract lesions

Patellar +++ ++ L2, L3, & L4 None. Very strong

 reflex.

Achilles ++ ++ S1, S2, & Had on thick Good reflex

tracts socks.

Babinski + + S1, S2, & None Weak reflex

tracts

Glabellar +++ +++ Tests the None Strong reflex

superficial
reflex

Figure 5- Dissection of a sheep eye. Labels on the different layers the light passes through to
see. Photo by Amber.