Nervous System Lab Report

The labs covered in lab report cover the central nervous system and the
peripheral nervous s system. Action potential is a momentary change in neurons or
muscle cells. Nerve impulses are when wave signals are transmitted along a nerve
fiber. This wave reverses potential differences across the membrane. The poisons in
the toxins are what causes these blockages in the muscles. A steady cell has a resting
membrane, and wont change unless an outside influence. A membrane at rest has
Sodium and Potassium on either sides, and once a stimulus sparks voltage-gated
channels result in depolarization followed by repolarization in the membrane. When an
action potential is in a process, another cannot begin.
The central nervous system is the processing center for the nervous system. It
works with the PNS to send and receive signals, and the main organs are the brain and
spinal cord. While the brain is interpreting information from the spinal cord, the spinal
cord is being protected by three layers of meninges. The brain contains ridges and
bulges called sulci and gyri. The brain contains three divisions; the forebrain, brainstem,
and the hindbrain. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerve fibers that is connected to the
brain. The nerves transmit information to organs that transmit signals to the brain.
The peripheral nervous system connects to the central nervous system to gather
sensory input and create motor output. The PNS contains two systems: the autonomic
nervous system (digestion) and the somatic nervous system (reflexes). The peripheral
system has cranial nerves that emerge from the brain, and spinal nerves that emerge
from the spinal cord. The cranial nerves relay information between the brain and parts
of the upper body, while the spinal nerves are responsible for somatosensory (denoting
a sensation) information.
Special senses involve vision, hearing, balance, smell, and taste. These senses
happen all over the body, such as the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, arms and legs. Being
able to convey types of stimuli to the brain and perceive them. The human skin is
sensitive to special senses, and other factors such as temperature, pressure, and pain.
Organs take a factor in special senses as well. In the labeled picture of the sheep eye,
the diagram of how light passes through the eye is shown.
Table 1. Neurotoxin table covering poisons that affect the nervous system. Different
toxins that are in certain animals and the effects of what those toxins do.
Toxin Effects Example

Maculotoxin Blocks sodium channels Black widow spider

Latrotoxin Enhances acetylcholine Krait

release

Bungarotoxin Blocks acetylcholine Blue-ringed octopus

(nicotine) receptor

Tetrodotoxin Blocks sodium channel Scorpion

Apamin Blocks potassium channels Cone snail

Charybdotoxin Blocks potassium Pufferfish

receptors

Conotoxin One type blocks voltage- Bee

sensitive calcium channels;
one blocks voltage-
sensitive sodium channels;
one blocks ACh receptors

Figure 1a. Lateral photo of sheep brain with structures labeled.

Figure 1b. Superior photo of sheep brain with structures labeled.
Table 2a. The functions of the structures of the lateral and superior view of sheep brain.
Structure Function

Cerebellum Receives information

Spinal Cord Connects PNS & Transmits information

Medulla Oblongata Regulates breathing

Pons Relay signals to sleep, hear, and bladder

control

Optic Nerve Transfer visual information

Olfactory Bulb Receives neural input about odors

Cerebrum Functions thought and action

Sulcus Grooves in brain

Gyrus Ridges on brain

Longitudinal cerebral fissure Separates two cerebral hemispheres

Cerebral hemisphere Controls movement of right side of body

Cerebellar hemisphere Controls coordination & precision

Vermis Maintains equilibrium and speech

Figure 1c. Medial view of sheep brain with structures labeled.

Table 2b. The functions of the labeled structures of medial view of sheep brain.
Structure Functions

Lateral ventricle Contains fluid that circulates nutrients

Corpus callosum Integrate motor and sensory

performances

Fonix Main structure of hippocampal formation

3rd ventricle Protects brain and transports nutrients

Optic chiasm Decussation of medial fibers

Mamillary body Important for recollective memory

4th ventricle Protect brain from trauma

Cerebellum Receives information from sensory

systems

Superior colliculus Center for eye movements

Pineal gland Regulates reproductive hormones

Figure 2. Cranial nerves of the inferior view of labeled sheep brain.

 Table 3. Results from testing different cranial nerves of the body.
Cranial Nerves Motor or Where? Test Results Assessment of
Sensory? performed Nerve Function

Olfactory (I) Sensory Nose Smell coffee positive normal

Optic (II) Sensory Eyes Follow positive normal

objects

Oculomotor (III) Motor Eyes Reaction to positive normal

light

Trochlear (IV) Motor Eyes Follow positive normal

target

Trigeminal (V) Both Eyes, jaw, Touch eyes positive normal

mouth with wisp

Abducens (VI) Motor Eyes Use positive normal

peripheral to
follow object

Facial (VII) Both Eyes, mouth Facial positive normal

expression
& taste test

Vestibulocochlear Sensory Ears Use tuning positive normal

(VIII) fork for
hearing test

Glossopharyngeal Both Mouth Gag reflex positive normal

(IX)

Vagus (X) Both Mouth & Gag reflex & positive normal
organs organ
contraction

Accessory (XI) Motor Neck & Move neck positive normal

shoulders & shoulders
with
resistance

Hypoglossal (XII) Motor Mouth Check positive normal

tongue
Figure 3. Labeled photo of the spinal cord of a mink.

Figure 4a. Labeled mink of the superior nerves.

Figure 4b. Inferior nerves of mink labeled.

Figure 4c. Lateral view of mink leg with nerves labeled.

 Table 4. Results from various reflex testing of different muscles.
Test Left Right Conditions Comments Tests For
Results Results

Biceps + ++ None Stronger Function of

right reflex cervical
nerves C5
and C6

Triceps + ++ None Stronger Functions of

right reflex cervical
nerves C7
and C8

Brachioradialis + ++ None Stronger Functions of

right reflex cervical
nerves C5
and C6

Hoffmans +++ +++ None Strong Functions of

reflex pyramidal
tract lesions

Patellar ++ ++ Jeans Weak reflex Functions of

L2, L3, and
L4 tracts

Achilles + ++ Jeans Stronger Functions of

right reflex the S1 and
S2 tracts

Babinski 0 0 None No reflex Functions of

the S1 and
S2,
sometimes
L4 and L5

Crossed Extensor ++ +++ None Stronger Difficult to

right reflex test
because of
anticipation

Glabellar ++ ++ None Weak reflex A superficial

reflex
Figure 5. Demonstration of how light passes through an eye. Light first enters the eye
through the cornea, and then makes its way through the liquidy substance known as the
aqueous humor. It then passes through the lens, which is the circular ball, and it almost
near the back of the eye. Once is passes through the vitreous humor, it approaches the
retina, and then reaches the iridescent colored layer. The last layer that light passes
through is the optic nerve, the very back of the eye.