Part 1 - Get a Lab Appointment and Install Software:
Set up an Account on the Scheduler (FIRST TIME USING NANSLO):
Find the email from your instructor with the URL (link) to sign up at the scheduler.
Set up your scheduling system account and schedule your lab appointment.
NOTE: You cannot make an appointment until two weeks prior to the start date of this lab assignment.
You can get your username and password from your email to schedule within this time frame.
Install the Citrix software: – go to http://receiver.citrix.com and click
download > accept > run > install (FIRST TIME USING NANSLO).
You only have to do this ONCE. Do NOT open it after installing. It will work automatically when you go
to your lab. (more info at
http://www.wiche.edu/info/nanslo/creative_science/Installing_Citrix_Receiver_Program.pdf)
Scheduling Additional Lab Appointments:
Get your scheduler account username and password from your email.
Go to the URL (link) given to you by your instructor and set up your appointment.
(more info at http://www.wiche.edu/nanslo/creative-science-solutions/students-scheduling-labs)
Changing Your Scheduled Lab Appointment:
Get your scheduler account username and password from your email. Go to http://scheduler.nanslo.org
and select the “I am a student” button. Log in to go to the student dashboard and modify your
appointment time. (more info at http://www.wiche.edu/nanslo/creative-science-solutions/studentsscheduling-labs)
Part 2 – Before Lab Day:
Read your lab experiment background and procedure below, pages 1-19.
Submit your completed Pre-Lab 1-2 Questions (pages 3-4) per your faculty’s instructions.
Watch the Microscope Control Panel Video Tutorial
http://www.wiche.edu/nanslo/lab-tutorials#microscope
Part 3 – Lab Day
Log in to your lab session – 2 options:
1)Retrieve your email from the scheduler with your appointment info or
2) Log in to the student dashboard and join your session by going to http://scheduler.nanslo.org
NOTE: You cannot log in to your session before the date and start time of your appointment. Use
Internet Explorer or Firefox.
Click on the yellow button on the bottom of the screen and follow the instructions to talk to your lab
partners and the lab tech.
Remote Lab Activity
SUBJECT SEMESTER: ____________
TITLE OF LAB: Histology – Neuronal Tissue
Lab format: This lab is a remote lab activity.
Relationship to theory (if appropriate): In this lab you will learn the underlying principles
behind the histological study of tissues.
Instructions for Instructors: This protocol is written under an open source CC BY license. You
may use the procedure as is or modify as necessary for your class. Be sure to let your students
know if they should complete optional exercises in this lab procedure as lab technicians will not
know if you want your students to complete optional exercises.
Instructions for Students: Read the complete laboratory procedure before coming to lab.
Under the experimental sections, complete all pre-lab materials before logging on to the
remote lab. Complete data collection sections during your online period, and answer questions
in analysis sections after your online period. Your instructor will let you know if you are
required to complete any optional exercises in this lab.
Remote Resources: Primary – Microscope, Secondary – Histology slide set.
CONTENTS FOR THIS NANSLO LAB ACTIVITY:
Learning Objectives.................................................................................................... 2
Background Information ........................................................................................... 2-3
Equipment ................................................................................................................. 3
Preparing for this NANSLO Lab Activity .................................................................... 4
Experimental Procedure ........................................................................................... 4
Exercise 1: Medulla Oblongata ................................................................................ 5
Exercise 2: Nerve Endings in Muscle ........................................................................ 5
Summary Questions .................................................................................................. 5
Creative Commons Licensing .................................................................................... 6
U.S. Department of Labor Information ..................................................................... 6
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Overview of histology tissues and types.
a. Define the term histology.
b. List four major tissue types.
c. Contrast the general features of the four major tissue types.
2. Identify and describe the function of the different parts of the neuron.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A living organism is composed of a variety of cells of different sizes, shapes, structures and
specialized functions. Cells of similar type are usually organized into groups. A group of cells
with similar size, shape, structure and function form a tissue. There are four general classes of
tissues. These classes are epithelial, connective, muscle, and neuronal. In this lab, we will use
histology to examine neuronal tissues.
Histology1 is the branch of biology concerned with the composition and structure of plant and
animal tissues in relation to their specialized functions. The terms histology and microscopic
anatomy are sometimes used interchangeably, but a fine distinction can be drawn between the
two studies. The fundamental aim of histology is to determine how tissues are organized at all
structural levels from cells and intercellular substances to organs.
Neurons, also called nerve cells, are basic cells of the nervous system in vertebrates. A typical
neuron has a cell body containing a nucleus and two or more long fibers. Impulses are carried
along one or more of these fibers, called dendrites, to the cell body. In higher nervous systems,
only one fiber, the axon, carries the impulse away from the cell body. Bundles of fibers from
neurons are held together by connective tissue and form nerves. Some nerves in large
vertebrates are several feet long. A sensory neuron transmits impulses from a receptor, such as
those in the eye or ear, to a more central location in the nervous system, such as the spinal
cord or brain. A motor neuron transmits impulses from a central area of the nervous system to
an effector, such as a muscle.
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Figure 1: Neurons
References:
Encyclopædia Britannica Online
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/173380/A-schematic-shows-neurons-and-a-synapseNeurons-respond-to (accessed 06/24/2014)
Encyclopædia Britannica Online
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/267172/histology (accessed 06/24/2014)
Encyclopædia Britannica Online
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/410669/neuron (accessed 06/24/2014)
EQUIPMENT:




Paper
Pencil/pen
Slides
o Medulla Oblongata slide
o Nerve endings in muscle slide
o Lymph node slide
o Tendon white fibrous connective tissue slide
o Skin pigmented slide
o Hyaline cartilage slide
o Compact bone slide
Computer with Internet access for the remote laboratory and for data analysis
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PREPARING FOR THIS NANSLO LAB ACTIVITY:
Read and understand the information below before you proceed with the lab!
Scheduling an Appointment Using the NANSLO Scheduling System
Your instructor has reserved a block of time through the NANSLO Scheduling System for you to
complete this activity. For more information on how to set up a time to access this NANSLO lab
activity, see www.wiche.edu/nanslo/scheduling-software.
Students Accessing a NANSLO Lab Activity for the First Time
For those accessing a NANSLO laboratory for the first time, you may need to install software on
your computer to access the NANSLO lab activity. Use this link for detailed instructions on
steps to complete prior to accessing your assigned NANSLO lab activity –
www.wiche.edu/nanslo/lab-tutorials.
Video Tutorial for RWSL: A short video demonstrating how to use the Remote Web-based
Science Lab (RWSL) control panel for the air track can be viewed at
http://www.wiche.edu/nanslo/lab-tutorials#microscope.
NOTE: Disregard the conference number in this video tutorial.
AS SOON AS YOU CONNECT TO THE RWSL CONTROL PANEL: Click on the yellow button at the
bottom of the screen (you may need to scroll down to see it). Follow the directions on the pop
up window to join the voice conference and talk to your group and the Lab Technician.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Once you have logged on to the remote lab system, you will perform the following laboratory
procedures. See Preparing for the Microscope NANSLO Lab Activity below.
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EXERCISE 1: Medulla Oblongata
Data Collection:
1. Select the medulla oblongata slide (Slide Cassette TBD) from the microscope interface. Using
the 10X objective, locate the tissue sample and bring it into focus.
2. Carefully work your way through all the objectives focusing with each one until you reach the
40X objective and capture an image of the medulla oblongata. Insert your image below.
Analysis:
3. Using your image of the medulla oblongata, label the soma, nucleus, dendrites, and
axon. Insert your image here..
EXERCISE 2: Nerve Endings in Muscle
Data Collection:
1. Select the motor nerve endings slide (Slide Cassette TBD) from the microscope interface. Using
the 10X objective, locate the tissue sample and bring it into focus.
2. Carefully work your way through all the objectives focusing with each one until you reach the
40X objective and capture an image of the adipose tissue. Insert your image below.
Analysis:
3. Using your image of the nerve endings, label the muscle fibers, motor neuron, and
synaptic knob. Insert your image here..
SUMMARY QUESTIONS:
The structure of a neuron is uniquely adapted to generating, propagating, and transmitting
action potentials. Describe their functions below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Soma (cell bocy)
Nucleus
Dendrite
Azon hillock
Axon
Myelin sheath
7. Nodes of Ranvier
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For more information about NANSLO, visit www.wiche.edu/nanslo.
All material produced subject to:
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License 3
This product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S.
Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily
reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The
Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or
assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such
information, including any information on linked sites and
including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its
completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued
availability, or ownership.
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