Physiology of the Nerve

Nerve Function
Introduction
All neurons or nerve cells consist of a cell
body, an axon, and one or more dendrites.
A nerve impulse is a wave of chemical
and electrical change that moves along the
membrane of the nerve cell.
When the nerve is stimulated, channels in
that area of the membrane open and
sodium ions (Na+) flow in to the cell.
Materials & Methods
Frog
Dissecting set
Glass rod
Stimulating apparatus
Femur clamp
NaCl crystals
10% HCl solution
Boiling water
Materials & Methods
Muscle-nerve preparation.
Mechanical: pinched.
Thermal: nerve was cut and the free end was
touched with a hot glass rod.
Osmotic: dead end of the nerve was cut and
NaCl were applied
Chemical: the free end of the nerve was dipped
in HCl.
Electrical: mild electrical shock using the
stimulator.
 Results & Discussion
Stimulus Observations
Mechanical Leg twitches
Panting: breathing heavily
Thermal
Eyes closed
Nerve shrunk
Leg is twitching frantically and after a while, straightened;
Osmotic
Eyes opened; After a while the nerve does not respond
anymore.
Breathing heavily
Chemical
Movement of muscle (contraction)
Upon application of electric shock, leg elevates and lifted.
Electrical
When shock is removed it goes back to its original position.
Results & Discussion
The stimuli applied caused changes in the
resting potential of the nerve.
Sensory transduction is the process by
which these stimuli were converted to
neural signals which caused either action
or graded potentials in neurons. When a
response is strong, sensory receptors can
initiate electrical responses to stimuli.
Results & Discussion
Sensory receptors are responsible for the
recognition of stimulus and initiates a
signal transduction.
◦ Mechanoreceptors
◦ Thermoreceptors
◦ Nociceptors
◦ Chemoreceptors
◦ Photoreceptors
Results & Discussion
Membrane potentials generated depends on the
extracellular and intracellular ion concentration
of the nerve cell.
For example, applying electrical current for an
electrical stimulus causes the voltage gated Na +
and K+ pumps to open and close.
◦ Resting potential
◦ Depolarization
◦ Threshold Potential
◦ Action potential
◦ Hyperpolarization
Post Lab Questions
1) Why must the nerve be kept moist?
 So the nerve stays flexible. Thus, it will
be easy to maneuver.
 If it is dry, it will become brittle and will
break easily.
Post Lab Questions
2) Nerves transmit signals due to electrical
potentials. How can stimuli, other than electrical
produce impulses in the nerve?
Sensory receptors (touch, pain, temperature, smell,
taste, sound, and sight) are activated by
environmental stimuli.
The stimulus produces a receptor potential; the
magnitude of the receptor potential is proportional
to the stimulus.
The receptor potential produces a train of action
potentials.
Post Lab Questions
3) Does the impulse decrease with time? If
so, why?
Impulse does decrease with time.
The myelin sheath with time degrades, so
charges are not insulated as much and
thus not conducted as fast as it was
before.