Laboratory
Nervous System: Special Senses
Log in to eScienceLabs to review the nervous system via animations and pre-lab readings for the exercise. The animations will address the anatomy of the ear, the sense of hearing, the sense of sight, the sense of smell, the sense of taste, reflex arc, and the 12 cranial nerves. The pre-lab readings will reinforce the different segments of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, the type of receptors that allow for the sense of touch and pain, and the anatomy and physiology of the remaining special sense organs.
During the lab exercise, you will learn about the pupillary light reflex and possible dysfunctions seen via this reflex. This exercise enables you to see a reflex arc in action and to describe the steps of this function of the body. Further, you will learn how the cranial nerves function by testing the cranial nerves with a partner. Finally, you will perform an exercise in which you will experience how touch, temperature, and pain are differentiated in the Testing Touch, Temperature, and Pain Perceptipn experiment.
For this assignment you must:
- Answer reflex questions one through six from assignment one.
- Complete the cranial nerve function testing table and questions one through four in assignment two.
- Complete the blind coin differentiation table and questions one through four in assignment three.
Your assignment must be formatted according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
Week 3 Assignment 1: Reflexes
Submission Instructions: Please complete your answers to the lab questions on this form. Please complete your answers, and SAVE the file in a location which you will be able to find again. Then, attach and submit the completed form to the Week 3 Laboratory dropbox in the Ashford University classroom.
Post-Lab Questions:
1. What is the pupillary response of the right eye when a light was shone into the pupil?
2. What is the consensual response? (The response of the left eye).
3. What branch of the nervous system controls this response
4. Can this response be inhibited?
5. Define what a reflex is.
6. Name five essential components of a reflex arc.
Week 3 Assignment 2: Testing Cranial Nerve Functions
Submission Instructions: Please complete your answers to the lab questions on this form. Please complete your answers, and SAVE the file in a location which you will be able to find again. Then, attach and submit the completed form to the Week 3 Laboratory dropbox in the Ashford University classroom.
Table 2: Cranial Nerve Function Testing
Cranial Nerve
Test
Result
Post-Lab Questions:
1. What do your cranial nerve test results tell you?
2. When might these tests be used in a clinical setting?
3. What cranial nerve may not be functioning properly if a patient cannot detect taste on the anterior tongue?
4. What cranial nerve may not be functioning properly if a patient can move his/her eyes medial, superior, and inferior, but not lateral?
Week 3 Assignment 3: Testing Touch, Temperature, and Pain Perception
Submission Instructions: Please complete your answers to the lab questions on this form. Please complete your answers, and SAVE the file in a location which you will be able to find again. Then, attach and submit the completed form to the Week 3 Laboratory dropbox in the Ashford University classroom.
Table 2: Blind Coin Differentiation
Coin
Observation
Guess
Quarter
Dime
Nickel
Penny
Post-Lab Questions:
1. Describe the difference between the four US coins.
2. Was the participant able to distinguish between these coins?
3. Which coin was the easiest to identify by touch? Which was the most difficult to distinguish by touch?
4. Why is the detection of temperature important to maintaining overall health?
5. Did the participant notice any difference between the amounts of pain reception in the different areas tested?
