ZOO05-Animal Physiology

2nd AY 2015-2016
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Exercise #3
Neurophysiology

I. Objectives:
At the end of this activity, the student should be able to:
1. understand the different functions of nervous system,
2. gain some insights on how nervous systems works in everyday activities

II. Materials:
Pencil/pen
5 unknown substances (for tasting)
4 unknown substances in canisters

III. Procedures:

Station 1: Neuroanatomy & Function Activities

Cerebellum: Function = balance and coordination

ZOO05-Animal Physiology
2nd AY 2015-2016

d. Next, no hands
e. Finally, with your eyes closed if you are steady
Why
do
you
think
closing
your
eyes
________________________________________________

makes

this

more

difficult?

2) Hip Extension
a. Stand 12-18 inches from table
b. Bend at hips; hold onto table
c. Slowly lift one leg backwards (like an ice skater); hold this position
d. Now hold onto the table with one fingertip, then no hands, Finally with eyes closed!

Temporal Lobe (part of the cerebral cortex) Function = auditory perception and
speech 1) Tongue Twisters
* Six sick slick slim sycamore saplings.
* A box of biscuits, a batch of mixed biscuits. * Red lorry, yellow lorry, red lorry, yellow lorry.
Six thick thistle sticks. Six thick thistles stick.
Toy boat. Toy boat. Toy boat.
What time does the wristwatch strap shop shut?
* Sams shop stocks short spotted socks.
* Lesser leather never weathered wetter weather better. * Fat frogs flying past fast.
* We surely shall see the sun shine soon.
* Ed had edited it.
* Are our oars oak?
Which
tongue
twister
was
_________________________________

the

most

difficult?

___________________

Why?

ZOO05-Animal Physiology
2nd AY 2015-2016

Occipital lobe: Function = Vision

Two eyes are better than one, especially when it comes to depth perception. Depth
perception is the ability to judge objects that are nearer or farther than others. To
demonstrate the difference of using one eye versus two to judge depth complete the
following:
1. Depth Perception
a) Hold the ends of a pencil/pen in each hand, hold them vertically or horizontally facing
each other at arms length from your body.
b) Now, close one eye and try to touch the ends of the pencils together
c) Now try with two eyes: it should be much easier
It is easier with two eyes because each eye looks at the image from a different angle.
2. Why do you need two eyes? ___________________________________________________
a) With your arms fully extended, hold a plastic drinking straw in one hand and a rolled
piece of paper (just enough for the straw to enter) in the other
b. With both eyes open, try to insert the rolled paper into the straw.
c. Now close your right eye. Try to insert the pipe cleaner into the straw. Repeat step c, but
this time close your left eye instead.
How
does
closing
one
eye
affect
_____________________________________________

the

ability

to

judge

distances?

Frontal Lobe: Function = Decision making, problem solving and planning

Station 2: Testing your Cranial Nerves

ZOO05-Animal Physiology
2nd AY 2015-2016

Olfactory Nerve (1): This nerve carries smell messages from the nose to the
brain.

Test: With your eyes closed, smell the items on the table one at a time. Can you identify the
item? Was the odor strong, pleasant, or neutral? Which nostril did you use to identify the
item?

Which specific lobe of the brain does the olfactory nerve (1) send information to?
_________________________

Optic Nerve (II): This nerve (or brain tract) carries sight messages from the
retina of the eye to the brain.

Test: Is this picture moving?

What specific lobe(s) does optic nerve (II) send information to?

ZOO05-Animal Physiology
2nd AY 2015-2016

__________________________________

Oculomotor Nerve (III), Trochlear Nerve (IV), Abducens Nerve (VI): These nerves
carry movement messages from the brain to the muscles controlling eyeball
movement.
Test: Have your partner follow your finger with his/her eyes.
If you were to damage any of these three nerves, what activities would you have difficulty
performing? ___________________________________________________________________________

Facial Nerve (VII): This nerve carries messages from the brain to the muscles
controlling facial expression.

Test: To test the motor part of this nerve, make a funny face. Take a picture. Taste a solution
provided by your instructor then, try to make the same funny face you had. Take a picture.
Can you still do it? ______________________________
If you were to damage you facial nerve (VII), what activities would you have a difficult time
doing? _____________________________________________________________________

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII): Carries

sound

and

movement

(vestibular)

Test: Shake each of the film canisters on the table. Can you identify the item? Which ear did
you use to hear?

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX) and Vagus Nerve (X): The Glossopharyngeal nerve
carries messages to and from the tongue and pharynx.
The vagus nerve also carries movement messages from the brain to the muscles of the
pharynx and larynx. In addition, the vagus nerve carries messages that regulate heart rate,
breathing, digestive activity, and blood pressure both to and from the brain.

ZOO05-Animal Physiology
2nd AY 2015-2016

Clinical Application: Inflammation of the glossopharyngeal nerve results in loss of sour and
bitter tastes, and impaired swallowing. A complete destruction of the vagus nerve is fatal.
Test: Swallow.
Which lobe(s) do these nerves send information to? _______________________________

Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI): This nerve carries movement messages from the
brain and brain stem to movement muscles in the larynx, pharynx, shoulders,
head and neck.
Test: Move your head from side to side. Shrug your shoulders.

Hypoglossal Nerve (XII): This nerve carries movement messages from the brain
to the tongue.
Test: Stick out your tongue and move it side to side.
If you were to damage the hypoglossal nerve (XII), what activities would you have a difficult
time doing? ______________________________________________________________________

V. DISCUSSION:
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ZOO05-Animal Physiology
2nd AY 2015-2016

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VI. CONCLUSION

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