Brundige

Cannon

Lab Report

Sheeps Brain Dissection

Purpose or Question:

The purpose of this lab was to get us familiar with parts of the brain, learn
correct anatomical terms of the brain, and teach us how to locate and tell
the difference between every part of the brain.

Background information:

Our brain weighed a total of 56.6 grams and had a PH of 6. It measured 6.9
centimeters across, and measured 8.3 centimeters long. We were also able
to look at pieces of the brain through a microscope.

Hypothesis:

This lab didnt really have a hypothesis to make or a question to answer.

Materials:

Scalpel- for making incisions

PH strips- measure acidity or basic unit of the brain
Scale- to weigh the brain
Ruler- to measure brain
Microscope- To observe parts of the brain
Red flags- to label parts of the brain
Tweezers- To grab or move parts out of the way
Probe- to gently separate layers

Procedures:

Step 1: First, we entered the laboratory and received goggles, gloves, and
a lab apron to wear for protection against the lab itself.
Step 2: Then, We set our materials out and got our brain from our
instructor. We took the pH of the brain and immediately had to wash it off,
dry it, weigh it, and measure it, as well as take a picture of our
observations.

Step 3: Next, we had to identify and photograph five parts of the brain: the
anterior position, the inferior position, the superior position, the posterior
position, and lateral, medial.

Step 4: After all of that, we had to take the flags and label, take pictures,
and identify the parts of the brain that our instructor provided. We had to
identify these regions:

a.) Frontal Lobe

b.) Occipital Lobe
c.) Temporal Lobe
d.) Parietal Lobe
e.) Cerebrum
f.) Cerebellum
g.) Medulla Oblongata
h.) Pons
i.) Spinal Cord
j.) Olfactory Bulb
k.) Optic chiasma
l.) Sulci and gyri and blood vessels

Step 5: After all of the photographs and labeling, we had to make an

incision through the longitudinal fissure, separating the two cerebral
hemispheres. The cut was made through the corpus callosum.

Step 6: We sliced directly in the middle and were able to locate and
photograph the hypothalamus, corpus callosum, pons, midbrain, medulla,
and the brain stem.

Step 7: We were able to observe the white and grey matter, and check for
blood vessels in the cerebellum.

Step 8: We put the two halves back together and made a transversal cut
through the frontal and parietal lobe.
Step 9: We photographed the chunks of brain matter and made a lateral
incision through the spinal cord. We photographed that as well.

Step 10: We took a thin slice of the blood vessels, cerebrum, and
cerebellum and put them under the microscope. We took photos of that as
well.

Step 11: We cleaned up our lab.