Vantasia Tolbert

Nervous System Lab Report

Neurotoxins can have various results when dealing with the nervous system of the
human body. They are poisonous and destructive to the nerve tissues, thus causing
neurotoxicity. As shown below in Table 1, neurotoxins have multiple, varying effects on the
nervous system, and each one does something different to the human body. The neurotoxins
affect, and in some cases block, the electrical nerve impulses from reaching the brain. The brain
helps to identify these toxins, and our nervous system is used to alert the brain when something
is found wrong, such as ones body being invaded by one of these neurotoxins.
As shown below in Figure 1, there are different structures to a brain. Although a sheep
brain was used to show this, it is very similar within a human brain. The sheep brain was cut
along a sagittal plane, leaving it into left and right portions to be labeled. Although the cranial
nerves can be seen on either side of a brain, in Figure 2 below, the right portion of the sheep
brain was labeled to show the different cranial nerves. Each cranial nerve is located in a
different structure of the brain, and each nerve has its own, separate function and use. Each
cranial nerve goes with a different section of the body as well, as shown below in Figure 2,
allowing for our senses, movement, and other various actions. In Table 2 below, the different
nerves are assessed, and it is seen just how these nerves work.
As shown below in Figure 3, the spinal cord withholds vertebrates in which consist of the
brain and spinal cord.This allows for sensory impulses to be transmitted and motor impulses to
be passed out. This coordinates the activity of the entire Central Nervous System.
As seen in Figure 4, a male mink was used to show that there are multiple spinal nerves
in the body. Within the spinal nerves, there are motor, sensory, and autonomic signals being
carried throughout the body, allowing for the spinal nerves to be mixed nerves, because they
allow for a mixture of things, such as movement and senses.
The bodys nerves allow for our reflexes. Whenever something bad or negative happens,
our nervous system and our nerves initiate a reaction which causes what is called a reflex. Each
nerve can be used to initiate a different response from various actions (as shown in Table 3
below). Generally, our reflexes are a negative response to something - usually because
something either scared or seemingly hurt us in some form or fashion. However, regardless
positive or negative, we use our reflexes as a response to just about anything we may
encounter. Our eyes also help to initiate a response or reflex.
As seen below in Figure 5, a sheep eye was used to show the various parts of the eye.
Although it is not a human eye, the components used to make up the sheep eye are the exact
same as that of a humans. Each layer was pulled apart to show the order and how far exactly
the light had to travel through the eye before it could be transformed into energy and be used.
 Table 1 - Neurotoxins
As shown in the table below, different types of toxins and their effects were identified.
Toxin Effect

Maculotoxin Blocks sodium channels

Latrotoxin Enhances acetylcholine

Bungarotoxin Blocks acetylcholine [nicotinic] receptor

Tetrodotoxin 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; one blocks ACh receptors

Synthetic Toxin Destroys the myelin covering the 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 channel

General Anesthetic Opens more potassium channels in neurons

of the reticular formatino in the brain stem

Potassium Causes irritation to the cell and causes

depolarization in 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
A sheep brain was cut to show the structure of the brain and was labeled as shown obove.

Figure 2 - Sheep Brain Cranial Nerve

A sheep brain, as shown above, was cut so that the cranial nerves could be identified and
labeled.
 Table 2 - Cranial Nerves Assessment Lab
Ten out of twelve cranial nerves were tested as shown in the table below. Cranial nerve
numbers nine and ten were not tested due to them including the testing of internal organs.

Cranial Nerve Motor or Where does the Test Performed Results Assessment of
Sensory or nerve innervate? of Tests Nerve Function
Both?

Olfactory (I) Sensory Smell Smelled pumpkin + Works good

spice

Optic (II) Sensory Vision Read eye chart + Worse in left

(20 feet away) eye, but still
good for both

Oculomotor (III) Motor Eye Movement, Light in eye + Proper response

Pupil Response given

Trochlear (IV) Motor Eye movement Pen motion test + Followed pen
well

Trigeminal (V) Both Facial Sensation Cotton swab test + Sensation felt at
and Chewing all points

Abducens (VI) Motor Eye Movement Midline test + Peripheral vision

good

Facial (VII) Both Expression and Facial movement + Movement

Taste controlled

Vestibulocochlear Sensory Hearing and Tuning Fork Test + Sound detected;

(VIII) Balance louder in right
ear

Glossopharyngeal Both Swallowing, Gag N/A N/A N/A

(IX) Reflex, and
Speech; includes
internal organs

Vagus (X) Both Swallowing, Gag N/A N/A N/A

Reflex, and
Speech; includes
internal organs

Accessory (XI) Motor Neck Turning and Shrugging + Good, controlled

Shrugging

Hypoglossal (XII) Motor Tongue Movement Visualization of + Good

tongue
 Figure 3 - Mink Spinal Cord
A male minks spinal cord was split in half and labeled as shown below.
 Figure 4 - Mink Nerves
As seen in the four photos above, a male mink was dissected in order to see the various nerves.
 Table 3 - Reflex Assessment Lab Results
As shown in the table below, nine different reflexes were tested using a reflex hammer.

Reflex Tested Left Arm Right Results Comments Tests For

Result Arm Varying
Result Conditions

Biceps + + Jacket On Very Slight C5 and C6

Triceps + + Jacket On Slight C7 and C8

Brachioradialis - - Jacket On Unresponsiv C5 and C6

e

Hoffmanns - - N/A Unresponsiv C5 and C6

e (Correct
Response)

Patellar + + Shorts On Very Slight L2, L3, and L4

Achilles + + N/A Slight S1 and S2

Babinski + + N/A Slight S1, S2, L4, and

L4

Crossed + + N/A Slight Cross

Extensor Reflectors; C5
and C6

Glabellar + + N/A Good C1 and C2

Movement

Abdominal N/A N/A N/A Wasnt T8, T9, T10,

tested due to T11, and T12
requirements
of test
 Figure 5 - Sheep Eye
Light passes through the structures of the eye, starting on the left, which is the front part of the
eye, and it goes to the right, which is the back of the eye, as shown below.