Summary:
Students will be observing 3-D models, charts, diagrams, and prepared
microscope slides of the spinal cord and spinal nerves to help reinforce their
understanding of nervous system anatomy. Students will also be dissecting a
spinal cord segment of the sheep brain for identification of meninges and
spinal nerves and performing a virtual lab involving nerve conduction velocity
and drug effects.
Goals/Objectives: Students will develop an
understanding of the basic structures of the spinal cord and spinal nerves
while identifying different spinal cord tracts and discussing their functional
importance. They will also identify the major nerve plexuses and related
peripheral nerves. The virtual lab will enable students to observe the effects
of different stimulant and inhibitors on nerve function and nerve conduction
velocity.
Pre-Lab Presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/kevinyocum4/spinal-cord-and-spinal-nerves-lab-37928289
Materials
Comparative
Analysis
· Models and charts of the spinal cord and spinal nerves
· Cross-section model of spinal cord
· Blue and red colored pencils
· Textbook and lab manual
Microscope
Activity
· Compound microscope
· Prepared slide of spinal cord
· Prepared slide of multipolar neuron
· Prepared slide of myelinated nerve
Dissection
· Sheep brain
· Dissection instruments
· Dissection tray
· Personal protective equipment
· Dissection microscope
Procedures
Comparative
Analysis- 45 minutes
1.
Listen to Spinal
Cord and Spinal Nerves Lab PowerPoint presentation. (20 minutes)
2.
Begin by reviewing
your text, cross-section models of the spinal cord, and anatomical charts of
the spinal cord, spinal nerves, and plexuses. (5 minutes)
3.
Locate and
identify the major structures of the spinal cord, spinal nerves, and spinal
cord tracts. (5 minutes)
4.
Using blue and
red colored pencils, perform Activity 2 on p. 317 in your (Marieb) lab manual.
(15 minutes)
Microscope
Activity- 25 minutes
1.
Obtain a compound
microscope and prepared slides of spinal cord, multipolar neuron, and a
myelinated nerve.
2.
Document your
observations on p.318 in your lab manual.
3.
Clean and
disinfect microscope.
Dissection- 50 minutes
1.
Gather dissection
tray, dissection kit.
2.
Put on disposable
lab coats, gloves, and goggles.
3.
Rinse and pat dry
the sheep brain to remove preserving fluids and then place onto dissection
tray.
4.
Identify the
major external structures such as the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, and
spinal cord.
5.
Make a transverse
incision near the cerebellum along the medulla oblongata and cut through the
spinal cord. Place the brain back into the preservative or baggie. You are done
with the brain for this week.
6.
Make a thin
transverse cut of the spinal cord piece and place under dissecting microscope.
7.
Document your observations
on p. 317-18 in your lab manual.
8.
Clean and
disinfect lab station and dissection tools.
Virtual Lab- 45 minutes
1.
Remove the CD-Rom from the lab manual titled PhysioEx™ 8.0 for A & P: Laboratory Simulations in Physiology.
2.
Insert the CD-Rom into the drive and it should “auto start”
or open to reveal program files.
o
Note: If folder
appears, click the “Start Here” icon (The one without the explorer logo)
3.
The Physio-Ex page will open; Click on “2 – Exercise 1 and
begin”.
4.
At the top of the screen, click on the drop down tab arrow
where you see “Exercise 1 – Cell Transport…”
5.
Drag cursor down to Exercise 3: Neurophysiology and Nerve
impulses. Then click on “Go” to the right of the drop down tab arrow.
6.
Read the Objectives and Introductions at the beginning of
each experiment.
7.
Complete
the PhysioEx™ Lab Experiments:
- Eliciting a Nerve
Impulse
- Inhibiting a
Nerve Impulse
- Nerve Conduction
Velocity
8.
Answer questions for
all activities in PhysioEx™ packet.
Evaluation
Answer questions 1-14 in your lab manual on pages
335-337 and complete the PhysioEx™ packet.
Examples of the Models Used:
