Tori Kenney

Nervous System Lab Report

Introduction paragraphs-
In this lab report we researched about the nerves and how the central nervous system
Works. We looked at nerve impulses, the central nervous system, and the peripheral nervous
system. Each nerve has a name and a function that all work together to help our bodies
function correctly. In the case study I did we looked into toxins and the effects they have with
some of our nerves. Each of these toxins come from various sources like a Black Mamba or a
poison- dart frog. Most of the toxins block off a channel that our bodies need to function properly
(see table 1). Theses toxins could be very serious to our nervous system. Next thing I did for
this lab report was study a sheep brain. We took a sheep brain and then cut it in half. We
examined the brain and figured out the structures and functions (see figure 1a and 1b) for the
sheep brain. Then we took our lab even farther buy finding the nerves and understanding their
functions as well. The structure help with things like balance and coordination, sending signals
to different parts of the brain, motor functions and regulates the bodys internal clock. Some of
the nerves in the brain are olfactory bulb, optic nerve, oculomotor nerve, trochlear
nerve,trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, acoustic nerve, and vagus nerve (see figure 2). Cranial
nerves work with all the parts listed above to help the brain and facial muscles move and work
together properly. Some of the cranial nerves we have are olfactory bulb, optic, oculomotor,
trochlear, trigeminal, abducens,facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory,
and hypoglossal. We also noted where the nerves innervate from. We tested our own nerves to
test and see if they were motor nerve or possible both (see table 2). I discovered that most of
my nerves reacted normally to whatever test we performed. Some of the test performed were
smelling coffee, swallowing, and shrugging our shoulders. By conducting this experiment we
received a better understanding of how all the nerves work together and rely on one another.
The spinal cord is the backbone of the mink. Its the home of the transverse process, spinous
process, and the central canal (see figure 3). It connects a large part of sensory nerves with the
peripheral nervous system. It also carries out the motor information from the brain to conduct
whatever necessary function. The spinal cord serves as a minor reflex center. Then we looked
at the spinal nerves of a mink (see figure 4). These spinal nerves work with the peripheral
nervous system. These nerves all work together to send out information to carry out activities,
like reflexes. We tested our reflexes with a rubber mallet. Some reflexes were very strong while
others werent (see table 3). Then we went onto the eye of a sheep. We dissected a sheeps
eye and looked at each part. Then we placed them in an order were light and energy could pass
through it (see figure 5).

Table 1.Neurotoxin Table from case study. Shows the different effects from different toxins.
Table by author.
Action Potential Interrupter Effects

Maculotoxin Block sodium channels

Latrotoxin Enhances acetylcholine release

Bungratoxin Blocks acetylcholine receptor

Tetrotoxin Blocks sodium channels

Apamin Blocks potassium channel

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 inactivations

Dendrotoxin Blocks voltage gated potassium channels

General Anestic Opens more potassium channels in neurons

of the reticular formation in the brains term

Potassium Causes irritation to the cells and causes

depolarization to the glial cells.

Abnormality of Sodium CHannel Alters voltage sensitivity of the sodium

channels so that it only opens at more
positive membrane potentials.
Figure 1a. Sheep brain with the structure and functions labeled. Photo by author.

Figure 1b. Sheep brain with the structures functions labeled. Photo by author.
Figure 2. Sheep Brain with the nerves labeled. Photo by author.

Table 2. Cranial Nerve Assessment Lab. Testing different cranial nerves and comparing the
results of the function. Table by author.
Cranial Motor or Where does Test Result of Assessment
Nerve Sensory the nerve Performed Tests of Nerve
Nerve or innervate? Function
Both?

Olfactory Sensory Upper nasal Smell coffee ++ normal

cavity

Optic Sensory Retina Eye chart + Stimatism

15,20 20,
15

Oculomotor Motor Eyes Moved finger + normal

in different
directions

Trochlear Motor Smaller eye Moved finger ++ normal

muscles in & out
Trigeminal Both Goes into Touch face + normal
eye, mouth, w/ cotton
& jaw swab

Abducens Motor Orbit of eye Move finger ++ normal

left to right

Facial Both Side of the Smile w/ ++ normal

face eyes closed

Vestibulococ Sensory Inner ea Tuning fork ++ normal

hlear

Glossophary Both Pharynx, Say ah + normal

ngeal tonsils, and
tongues

Vagus Both Chest & swallow + normal

abdomen

Accessory Motor Soft palate of Shrug ++ normal

the pharynx shoulders
larynx

Hypoglossal Motor tongue Stick tongue + Normal

out
Figure 3. Mink spinal cord. Photo by Alexis Magre.
Figure 4a. Mink nerves labeled on the anterior lower half of the body. Photo by author.
Figure 4b. Transverse lower part of the mink nerves labeled. Photo by author.

Figure 4c. Anterior view of mink with top half spinal nerves labeled. Photo by author.
Figure 4d. Anterior view of the mink spinal nerves in the arm labeled. Photo by authot.

Table 3. Reflex assessment table. We tested our reflexes

Test Results (Left,Right) Varying Conditions

Biceps +,+ Slight movement in both

Triceps +,+ Slight movement in both

Brachioradialis -,- No movement

 Hoffmanns +,+ No movement

Patellar +,+ Slight Movements

Achilles +,+ Good movement

Babinski -,- Good-Toes flared down

Crossed Extensor +,- Left hand cause right hand to

flinch

Glabellar +,+ Flinched as a result

Figure 5. Parts of a sheep eye. We dissected a sheep's eye and laid it out where light can pass
through it. Photo by author.