Anatomy & Physiology 34A
Study Guide for Lab Exam #5
The final lab exam will contain materials from labs 18B (neurophysiology), 19 (brain),
cranial nerve handout, 21 (spinal cord & spinal nerves), 22 (reflex physiology), 23
(general sensation).
Lab 18B: Neurophysiology
- Be able to define bold print terms such as irritability, conductivity, resting membrane
potential, polarized, depolarized, threshold, action potential, repolarization,
hyperpolarization, absolute and relative refractory periods.
- What type of machine was used to stimulate the nerve? What did the oscilloscope
measure?
- What types of ions are involved in depolarization, repolarization, and
hyperpolarization? What are the relative concentrations of the ions inside and outside of
a neuron? What types of membrane transporters take part in these processes?
- How did drugs, such as ether, curare, and lidocaine affect nerve impulse conduction?
What are the mechanisms of action of these chemicals?
- How do nerve diameter and the presence or absence of myelin affect the speed of nerve
conduction?
Lab 22: Human Reflex Physiology
- What is a reflex? What are the 5 components of a reflex arc?
- How do autonomic and somatic reflexes differ?
- What is the purpose of reflex testing?
- What type of reflexes are the patellar and Achilles reflexes? Do they involve the brain?
What is the integration center for these reflexes? What type of receptor was involved?
- What type of reflexes are the corneal and gag reflexes? What is the integration center
for these reflexes?
- What type of reflexes are the pupillary, cilliospinal, and salivary reflexes? In what way
are these reflexes different from the patellar and Achilles reflexes?
- How did reaction differ in basic reflexes and acquired reflexes? Why was the reaction
time different? What factors modify reaction time to a stimulus?
Lab 19: Brain
Be able to identify the brain structures listed on the lab print out, as well as the functions
of the structures.
Cranial Nerves (handout)
- Know the names and numbers of the 12 cranial nerves. Which are sensory, motor, and
mixed?
- Know the functions of the nerves, as well as disorders associated with malfunctions of
the nerves, as mentioned in the handout.
- Know the procedures used to test the nerves.
Lab 21: Spinal cord & spinal nerves
Be able to identify spinal cord structures and spinal nerves listed on the lab print out, as
well as the functions of the structures.
Lab 23: General Sensations
- What different types of sensory receptors were stimulated in these experiments? What
are interoceptors? What are exteroceptors?
- In the two-point discrimination test, why were you able to discern two points in some
body areas tested, but only one point in other areas? Likewise, why were you able to
come closer to a spot touched in some areas in the tactile localization tests?
- Which types of receptors demonstrated adaptation (phasic receptors)? How do tonic
receptors differ from phasic receptors? Give examples of each.
- What is meant by referred pain? What is its physiological basis?