Nervous System Lab Report

This lab report will include action potentials also known as impulses, toxins effects on
action potentials, and cranial nerve and reflex action potential. Action potential in a multipolar
neuron, where the first part of the axon is triggered by a stimulus, and response in transmitting
millivolts, and the cell membrane rise and fall at a constant pace (all or nothing). Depolarization
is the reduction of a membranes resting potential so that the membrane becomes less negative.
Repolarization is the state in the action potential process that returns membrane potential back to
its negative voltage after the depolarization process has occurred by selectively opening and
closing of potassium channels on the cell membrane.The period when axons can be stimulated to
generate a new action potential is called the refractory period which limits impulses to an
average of 100 per second. The following figures will address nervous system action potentials

studies.
The figure to above shows the depolarization and repolarization in our nervous system as
described in the previous paragraph.

Our nerves help us with a number of things from our senses to our bodily functions, however
there are ways we can hinder how they work; one of those ways being the introduction of certain
toxins. Our nerves are very valuable and we dont want t damage them in any way. Toxins can
block our sodium and potassium channels causing numerous issues. Below is a list of toxins and
the effects it they have on our body. Also below is a table of our cranial nerves and their
functions.

Toxin Effect List

Toxin (Animal)

Effects

Maculotoxin (Black Widow spider)

Blocks sodium channels

Latrotoxin (Krait)

Enhances acetylcholine release

Bungarotoxin (Blue- Ringed Octopus)

Blocks acetylcholine (nicotinic) receptor

Tetrodotoxin (Scorpion)

Blocks sodium channels

Apamin (Cone Snail)

Blocks potassium channels

Charybdotoxin (Pufferfish)

Blocks potassium receptors

Conotoxin (Bee)

One type blocks voltage sensitive calcium

channels. One blocks voltage sensitive sodium
channels. One blocks ACh receptors.

Above is a table of common and uncommon toxins and the effect they have on our nervous
systems action potential system.

Cranial Nerves and Functions

Nerve

Function

Offactory (Sensory)

Smell

Optic (Sensory)

Vision

Oculomotor (Primarily Motor)

Movement and focus of eyes

Trochlear (Primarily Motor)

Movement of eyes

Trigeminal (Mixed)

Movement and facial responses

Abducens (Primarily Motor)

Movement of eyes

Facial (Mixed)

Taste

Vestibulocochlear (Sensory)

Hearing and equilibrium

Glossopharyngeal (Mixed)

Production of saliva / Swallowing

Vagus (Mixed)

Speech and Swallowing

Accessory (Primarily Motor)

Impulses of Neck and Back

Hypoglossal (Primarily Motor)

Movement of tongue

Above is a table of some nerves and the functions of them.

Not only do or nerves in our bodies help us move and communicate certain message to
the rest of our senses, they also control our reflexes. A reflex is an action that is performed as a
response to a stimulus and without conscious thought. Let's say you accidentally put your arm
against a pot of boiling water on the stove. When you pull back and yell that is actually a reflex
reaction stimulated by your brain and nerves. This process of the input of a stimulus and the
output of the reaction to that stimulus is called the reflex arc. Below I have a table of reactions to
a stimuli and a picture of the reflex arc.

Reflex Lab Observations

Results (resting)
Test

Left

Right

Biceps

++

Triceps

++

Brachioradialis

+++

++

Hoffmans

Normal

Normal

Patellar

++++

++++

Achilles

+++

+++

Babinski

Normal

Normal

Crossed Extensor

Normal

Normal

Glabellar

Normal

Normal

Results Varying

Above is a table of the data collected during the reflex lab.

A picture of the process of the reflex arch is above.