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13.5: Laboratory Activities and Assignment

  • Page ID
    53711
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    Laboratory Activities and Assignment

    Part 1: Review of Introduction to the Nervous System

    1. The diagram below shows a neuron with other neurons connected to it. In the blanks below, write the appropriate term for each numbered item from the choices listed below:

    • axon
    • axon terminal
    • dendrites
    • neuron cell membrane
    • neuron nucleus
    • neurotransmitter
    • node of Ranvier
    • nucleolus
    • receptor
    • rough ER (Nissl body)
    • Schwann cell nucleus
    • Schwann cell with myelin sheath
    • synapse

    Neuron diagram with structures labeled with numbers

    1. _________________________

    16.________________________

    5. ________________________

    17. ________________________

    6. ________________________

    18. ________________________

    7. ________________________

    21. ________________________

    12. ________________________

    22. ________________________

    13., 14., 19., 25. _________________

    23. ________________________

    15. ________________________

    2. Below is a microscopic image of neural tissue. What structural classification of neuron is this (pseudo unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar)? How do you know?

    3. On the microscopic image of neural tissue below, label the following structures:

    • cell body (of neuron)
    • nucleus (of neuron)
    • dendrites
    • synapse
    • nuclei (of glia cells)

    Microscopic image of nervous tissue

    4. For each of the descriptions below, indicate whether it refers to a sensory neuron or a motor neuron by writing either "sensory" or "motor" in the spaces provided.

    a. ________________________ Neurons that carry olfactory (scent) information from the nose to the brain.

    b. ________________________ Neurons that increase glandular secretions.

    c. ________________________ Neurons that cause muscles controlling the jaw to contract during chewing.

    d. ________________________ Neurons that transmit pain when stung by a bee.

    e. ________________________ Also known as efferent neurons.

    f. ________________________ Also known as afferent neurons.

    g. ________________________ Neurons causes heart beats.

    h. ________________________ Neurons causing diaphragm contractions to enable breathing.

    i. ________________________ Neurons transmitting light information from the eyes to the brain.

    j. ________________________ Neurons that cause smooth muscle in the blood vessels close to the skin to contract in cold weather to prevent heat loss through the skin.

    k. ________________________ Neurons that collect and transmit auditory (sound) information to the brain.

    l. ________________________ Neurons that sense the touch of an insect that lands on the skin.

    m. ________________________ Neurons that sense an itchy feeling after being bitten by a mosquito.

    n. ________________________ Neurons that cause the eyes to blink.

    5. Below is an image of part of a cross section of a nerve. Note that this image is at a much higher magnification (400x) than the one shown in the chapter (100x). Identify the following structures in the image and label the image accordingly:

    • epineurium
    • perineurium
    • axons
    • Schwann cells with myelin sheaths
    • nuclei of Schwann cells
    • blood vessels

    Microscopic image of nerve cross section

    6. Below are three different neurons. For each, indicate its structural classification (pseudounipolar, bipolar, or multipolar), and the types of functions each have in the human body (sensory neurons, motor neurons, or interneurons - some may have more than one).

    Diagram of three different neuron structures

    7. Below is an illustration of neurons and glia in the CNS. Label each of the following:

    • astrocyte
    • axon
    • blood vessel
    • cerebrospinal fluid-filled space (ventricles or central canal)
    • ependymal cell
    • microglia
    • myelin sheath
    • neuron
    • oligodendrocyte

    Diagram of central nervous tissue and its cells

    8. In the illustration above, there are two types of glia cells not shown.

    a. Name the two types of glia cells that are not shown.

    b. Why do these glia cells not belong in this illustration?

    9. Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system. What type of cell would be the most likely target of this disease? Why?

    Part 2: Introduction to the Nervous System Laboratory Activities

    1. Obtain the slides listed below that are available for today’s lab.
    2. Focus on each sample and identify the structures listed for each type of tissue.
    3. Indicate the total magnification you make each illustration at in the space provided.
    4. Illustrate each tissue you observe with the microscope at the magnification you listed.
    5. Label each illustration with the structures listed for each.

    Central Nervous Tissue

    Label the tissue with: neuron, cell body (neuron), nucleus (neuron), dendrite, axon, synapse, nuclei (glia), [pseudounipolar, bipolar, or multipolar, as appropriate for each neuron]

    Total magnification:

    Dorsal Root Ganglion

    Label the tissue with: cell body (neuron), nucleus (neuron), axons, Schwann cell nuclei, satellite cell nuclei, whether the neurons are sensory neurons or motor neurons

    Total magnification:

    Peripheral Nerve (Cross Section)

    Label the tissue with: epineurium, perineurium, fascicle, myelin sheath, axon

    Total magnification:

    Neuromuscular Junction

    Label the tissue with: muscle fiber, axon terminal, synapse

    Total magnification:

    Attributions

    Part 1: Review of Introduction to the Nervous System

    Part 2: Introduction to the Nervous System Laboratory Activities


    This page titled 13.5: Laboratory Activities and Assignment is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Rosanna Hartline.

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