Online Lab #5

This lab consisted of dissecting a leech to study its neurons through use of an online simulation.

1. What is the electrode measuring?
The electrode measures the neurons' activity levels.

2. Why use leeches in neurophysiology experiments?
Leeches have large neurons that can be gotten to easily and they are also an animal that is not highly debated on. They are not like dogs or cats to where people are highly concerned over our dissecting them, calling it animal cruelty.

3. What is the difference between a sensory and a motor neuron?
A sensory neuron sends messages to the central nervous system while a motor neuron sends messages away from the nervous system to the rest of the body's tissues, muscles, organs, etc. with instructions on how to function.

4. Do you think a leech experiences pain? What is pain?
Pain is a type of feeling that the nervous system messages to the brain as something harmful to the body. I don't doubt that leeches experience pain because they do have a nervous system.

5. What were the two most interesting things about doing this lab?
The whole concept that I could dissect a leech online was fascinating. I didn't have to be in a lab, smelling all the chemicals, touching the icky leech, and yet I gained a true understanding of what a neuron is, where is can be found, and how it works.

6. Anything you found confusing or didn't like about the lab?
I didn't know which pictures to take so I took my best guess. With this lab is was kind of difficult in diciphering the right picture but the rest was relatively simple.

Work-Cited:
http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/vlabs/neurophysiology/index.html