Nervous System Lab Report

Alexis Magre
This lab report will discuss the nervous system which allows for sensing, response, and control.
Environmental messages received, transmitted, and interpreted by the nervous system. The
functional unit of the nervous system, the neuron, carries impulses to the appropriate part of the
nervous system or interprets the impulse itself and allows a response. If something blocks the
neuron from being able to transmit impulses the whole system will fall apart. Neurotoxins and
other cell abnormalities can cause this to happen, see Table 1 for the effects of different types of
neurotoxins and mutated cells can cause. The nervous system is made of up two different parts
the Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System. The CNS controls most of the
functions of the body and mind and is also broken up into two different parts: the spinal cord and
brain. To learn about the structures and functions of the brain see Figure 1. The Peripheral
Nervous contains everything that that Central Nervous System does not, including the twelve
cranial nerves. The cranial nerve exam tests the forebrain and brainstem structures. The twelve
cranial nerves serve the head and neck and the special senses. To see a label picture of the twelve
cranial nerves of a sheep brain see Figure 2. The movement of the eyes, face, tongue, throat, and
neck are all under the control of the cranial nerves. Testing these functions provides insight into
the damage of specific regions of the brain stem and may uncover certain deficits. For example,
the hypoglossal nerve is tested by sticking out the tongue, if there is any deviation there is
something wrong. To see the results of a full cranial nerve exam see Table 2. The brain and
spinal cord are protected by three layers of meninges (the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia
mater); between those layers is a space filled with cerebrospinal fluid which acts as a shock
absorber to protect against injuries. See Figure 3 for a labeled picture of a mink spinal cord.
Another part of the PNS are the spinal nerves which carry signals between the body and spinal
cord. For a labeled picture of spinal nerves from the upper and lower body, see Figure 4a and 4b.
Reflexes are also part of the PNS whether they are involuntary or voluntary. In a clinical setting,
reflexes are tested by hitting a reflex hammer on a tendon, for example the biceps exam tests for
C5-C6. For a full reflex assessment see Table 3. The special senses (sight, smell, taste, touch,
and hearing) all have sensory organs which are with are also part of the nervous system. The
sensory organ for sign are the eyes; light passes through each part of the eye and then bounces
back to create an image. For the labeled components of the eyes see Figure 5.
Table 1. Neurotoxin Table. Shows how different types of neurotoxins and mutated cells affect
the human body. Information was gathered from the case study Escape from Planet Soma by
Sheri L. Boyce.
Action Potential Interrupter Effects

Maculotoxin Blocks sodium channels.

Latrotoxin Enhances acetylcholine release.

Bungarotoxin Blocks acetylcholine (nicotinic) receptor.

Tetrotoxin 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, and open blocks ACh receptors.

Abnormality of the Sodium Protein Channel Produces channels that are nonfunctional.

Synthetic Toxin Destroys the myelin covering your optic

nerves and motor neurons.

Batrachotoxin Causes voltage gated sodium channels to

open at a more negative membrane potential
and also prevents their inactivation.

Dendrotoxin K Blocks voltage gated potassium channels.

General Anesthetic Opens more potassium channels in neurons of

the reticular formation in the brainstem.

Potassium Causes irritation to the cell and causes

depolarization to glial cells.

Abnormality of Sodium Channel Alters voltage sensitivity of the sodium

channel so that it only opens at more positive
membrane potentials.
Figure 1. Sheep Brain Structures and Functions Labeled. The cerebrum is the center for higher
order brain functions, the cerebellum coordinates balance, movement, and reflexes, and the
corpus callosum connects the brain hemispheres together. The cerebral longitudinal fissure is a
deep groove that separates the two brain hemispheres, the gyrus (ridge) and sulcus (valley) are
there to give the brain surface area. The thalamus is the motor sensory relay center, the 4th
ventricle and lateral ventricle protects the brain from trauma, and the pineal gland secretes
hormones. The superior colliculus is the primary integrating center for eye movements, the
medulla oblongata controls living functions and the pons is involved with sleep cycles. Photos by
Julia Harwell.
Figure 2. Sheep Brain Cranial Nerves Labeled. The twelve cranial nerves found in the brain.
Photos by author.

Table 2. Cranial Nerve Assessment Results. For each cranial nerve this is a clinical test to see if
the nerve is working properly. In the lab each test was performed on a partner and the positive
and negative results were recorded in the table below.
Cranial Nerve Motor or Where does Test Performed Results of Assessment
Sensory the Nerve Tests of Nerve
or Both? Innervate? Function

Olfactory (I) Sensory Upper Nasal Smelled coffee +,+ Normal

Cavity with each nostril

Optic (II) Sensory Retina Read eye chart; +,+ Normal

light +

Oculomotor (III) Motor Eyes Moved q-tip up, +,+ Normal

down, inward

Trochlear (IV) Motor 5th Pair of Moved q-tip +,+ Normal

External Eye inward and
Muscle downward

Trigeminal (V) Both Eye, Mouth, Tough areas of + Normal

and Jaw face with cotton

Abducens (VI) Motor Orbit of Eye Moved q-tip left +,+ Normal
and right

Facial (VII) Both Side of Face Smile and close +,+ Normal
eyes tightly

Vestibulocochlea Sensory Inner Ear Tuning fork; +,+ Normal

r (VIII) walking in
straight line

Glossopharyngea Both Pharynx Said ahhh + Normal

l (IX) Tonsils
Tongue to
Brain

Vagus (X) Both Neck, Chest, Swallowed + Normal

and
Abdomen
 Accessory (XI) Sensory Soft Palate Shoulder shrug; + Normal
Pharynx and neck rotating +,+
Larynx

Hypoglossal Sensory Tounge Stick out tongue + Normal

(XII) with no deviation

Figure 3. Mink Spinal Cord Labeled. Photo by author.

Figure 4a. Mink Spinal Nerves Labeled. Ten spinal nerves from the upper half of the mink.
Photos by author.
Figure 4b. Mink Spinal Nerves Labeled. Ten spinal nerves from the lower half of the mink.
Photos by author.
Table 3. Reflex Assessments Results. After getting a good grasp of what to look for, both right
and left sides of the body were tested for reflexes using procedures specific to the location. Any
differences in results were noted.
Test Results Results: Results: Varying Conditions Tests For
: Left Right

Biceps + + Good movement C5-C6

Triceps + + Slight movement C7-C8

Brachioradialis + + Good movement C5-C6

Hoffmanns + + No movement Pyramidal tract lesion

Patellar + + Big movement L2-L4

Achilles + + Big movement S1-S2

Babinski - - Good; toes cured S1-S2 and to some

(should test negative) extent L4-L5

Crossed + + Good; lateral movement C5-C6

Extensor

Glabellar + + Eyes fluttered C1-C2

Figure 5. Sheep Eye Labeled. Dissected sheep eye to reveal each major part; in order from where
light first enters the eye (moves from left to right). Photo by author.