Lab 8 The Nervous System BIO201L
Student Name: Gloria Arajulu
Access Code (located on the lid of your lab kit): AC-OF2X1AP
Pre-Lab Questions:
1. What is the primary function of the nervous system?
The primary function of the nervous system is to transmit and process information in the
body, enabling communication between different parts and coordinating responses to
stimuli.
2. Why does the cerebral cortex contain so many folds?
The folds in the cerebral cortex, known as gyri and sulci, increase its surface area, allowing
more neurons to fit in a confined space, enhancing cognitive abilities.
3. What is a nerve impulse?
A nerve impulse is an electrical signal transmitted along a nerve cell, allowing communication
within the nervous system and triggering various physiological responses.
4. What are Schwann cells and what do they form?
Schwann cells are a type of glial cell that forms the myelin sheath around nerve fibers in the
peripheral nervous system, which enhances the conduction of nerve impulses.
5. What is an all-or-none response?
An all-or-none response refers to the phenomenon where a neuron either fires completely
or does not fire at all in response to a stimulus. There is no partial firing; it's either a full
action potential or none at all.
6. What two effects might neurotransmitters have?
Neurotransmitters can have excitatory effects, which increase the likelihood of a neuron
firing, or inhibitory effects, which decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing.
Experiment 1: Microscopic Anatomy of the Nervous System
Post-Lab Questions
1. Label the arrows in the slide images below based on your observations from
the experiment.
A- axon
B- cell body
C- myelinated axon
D- myelin sheath
, Lab 8 The Nervous System BIO201L
Student Name: Gloria Arajulu
Access Code (located on the lid of your lab kit): AC-OF2X1AP
Pre-Lab Questions:
1. What is the primary function of the nervous system?
The primary function of the nervous system is to transmit and process information in the
body, enabling communication between different parts and coordinating responses to
stimuli.
2. Why does the cerebral cortex contain so many folds?
The folds in the cerebral cortex, known as gyri and sulci, increase its surface area, allowing
more neurons to fit in a confined space, enhancing cognitive abilities.
3. What is a nerve impulse?
A nerve impulse is an electrical signal transmitted along a nerve cell, allowing communication
within the nervous system and triggering various physiological responses.
4. What are Schwann cells and what do they form?
Schwann cells are a type of glial cell that forms the myelin sheath around nerve fibers in the
peripheral nervous system, which enhances the conduction of nerve impulses.
5. What is an all-or-none response?
An all-or-none response refers to the phenomenon where a neuron either fires completely
or does not fire at all in response to a stimulus. There is no partial firing; it's either a full
action potential or none at all.
6. What two effects might neurotransmitters have?
Neurotransmitters can have excitatory effects, which increase the likelihood of a neuron
firing, or inhibitory effects, which decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing.
Experiment 1: Microscopic Anatomy of the Nervous System
Post-Lab Questions
1. Label the arrows in the slide images below based on your observations from
the experiment.
A- axon
B- cell body
C- myelinated axon
D- myelin sheath
, Lab 8 The Nervous System BIO201L
