Nervous System Lab Report

Hannah Hux
Introduction
This lab report will focus on the nervous system and how it functions and the jobs it
performs. The nervous system is key in sending electrical impulses to the brain and out to the
rest of the body. Neurotoxins play a part in sending these signals. Different neurotoxins will do
different things, such as block a channel or produce nonfunctional channels, to the different
channels and receptors (Table1). The central nervous system is made up by the brain and
spinal cord. The nervous system sends its signals to the brain using action potential, where the
brain uses its many different structures to then process and react to what it is being told by the
nerves (Figures 1). The brain has many different functions, a list of these can be found in Table
2. The brain contains cranial nerves that are a part of the peripheral nervous system that allow it
to signal information it is receiving, such as things the eye is seeing, words an ear is hearing or
things a nose is smelling (Figure 2 & Table 3). The spinal cord is another key component in the
nervous system (Figure 3). The spinal cord has spinal nerves, that are also part of the
peripheral nervous system, that branch out to all parts of the human body (Figures 4). Spinal
nerves carry motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and brain. In a lab
performed, test subjects A and B were partners that performed various tests to check the
reflexes in one another. By hitting the different reflexes on one another with a reflex hammer,
both A and B were able to visually see how fast the nervous system sends a message to the
brain telling it to react (Table 4). Lastly, there are several nerves in your eye that send
messages to the brain as well. Light passes through the layers of your eye giving the ability to
see and making the nerves send signals to process what is being seen by the eye (Figure 5).
The optic nerve is one of the major nerves in your eye, its job is to send information it receives
from the retina to the brain.

Table 1.
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 one opens 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 cells 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 1A. Superior view of a sheep brains major structures. Photo by author.
Figure 1B. Lateral view of a sheep brains major structures. Photo by author.

Figure 1C. Sagittal view of a sheep brains major structures. Photo by author.

Table 2.
Structure Function/s

Lateral ventricle Circulates nutrients

Corpus callosum Integrates motor and sensory
performances

Fonix Main structure of hippocampal formation

3rd ventricle Protects the brain and transports nutrients

Optic chiasm Decussation of medial fibers

Mamillary body Recollective memory

4th ventricle Protects brain

Cerebellum Receives information

Superior colliculus Eye movements

Pineal gland Regulates reproductive hormones

Cerebellum Coordination & balance

Spinal Cord Transmits information

Medulla Oblongata Regulates breathing

Pons Relays signals

Optic Nerve Transfer visual information

Olfactory Bulb Receives neural input about smell

Cerebrum Thought and action

Sulcus Grooves in brain

Gyrus Ridges on brain

Longitudinal cerebral fissure Separates cerebral hemispheres

Cerebral hemisphere Controls right side of the body

Cerebellar hemisphere Coordination & precision

Vermis Equilibrium and speech

 Figure 2. Ventral view of a sheep brain. Photo by Zabrian Sowders.

Table 3.
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 with
eyes

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

mouth with wisp,
see
contraction

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

Figure 4A. Superior view of mink spinal nerves. Photo by author.

Figure 4B. Medial view of mink spinal nerves. Photo by author.

Figure 4C. Mink chest with spinal nerves. Photo by author.

Figure 4D. Mink leg with spinal nerves. Photo by author.

Figure 4E. Mink leg with spinal nerves. Photo by author.

Table 4.

Tested Reflex Left Right Tests for Results Varying Comments

Results Results Conditions

Biceps ++ + The functions of Had on long Stronger

the cervical nerves sleeves. left reflex
5 & 6.

Triceps ++ ++ The functions of Had on long Weak

the cervical nerves sleeves. reflex
7 & 8.

Brachioradiali ++ ++ The functions of None Weak

s the cervical nerves reflex
5 & 6.

Hoffmans + + Tests for None Very weak

pyramidal tract reflex
lesions.

Patellar +++ +++ Tests the L2, L3, & Had on leggings. Strong
L4 in the leg. reflex

Achilles +++ +++ Tests the S1 & S2 Had on thick Good reflex
tracts. socks. each time

Babinski ++ +++ Tests the S1 & S2 None Stronger

tracts & a little of right reflex
 the L4 & L5.

Crossed ++ ++ Tests the neurons Had on long Weak

Extensor synapse across sleeves. reflex
the central portion
of the spinal cord.

Glabellar ++ ++ Tests the None Weak

superficial reflex. reflex

Figure 5. Dissection of a sheep eye. The different layers of a sheep eye in order that
light passes through it (L-R). Photo by author.