Nervous Function Lab

1.  What is the electrode measuring?

The electrode is measuring the activity within the neuron. The resting/action potential of the neuron.

2.  Why use leeches in neurophysiology experiments?

Leeches are used in these experiments because the neurons in their nerve cord are large and easy to get to.

3.  What is the difference between a sensory and motor neuron?

A sensory neuron transmits nerve impulses to the central nervous system and a motor neuron carries nerve impulses away from the central nervous system to the muscles or glands.

4.  How do you think a leech experiences pain? What is pain?

Pain is experienced  by the signals sent by a specific kind of sensory neurons called pain receptors. I would think that leeches feel pain because they have a nervous system and sensory receptors.

5.  What are the two most interesting things about doing this lab? 

I found that actually seeing how the electrode measurement worked gave me a better idea of what is involved in measuring potential. The next was clicking through the different cell types to see what they looked like under the microscope.

6.  Anything you found confusing or did not like about the lab? 

I didn't find it confusing. I was actually glad that this lab was done in a virtual setting.