Name:
Muscle and Nervous Tissues
Laboratory Exercise 9
Background
Muscle tissues are characterized by the presence of elongated cells or muscle fibers that
can contract. As they shorten, these fibers pull at their attached ends and cause body
parts to move. The three types of muscle tissues are skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.
Nervous tissues occur in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. They consist of
neurons (nerve cells), which are the impulse-conducting cells of the nervous system, and
neuroglial cells, which perform supportive and protective functions.
Materials Needed
Textbook
Pictures of the following:
Skeletal muscle
Smooth muscle
Cardiac muscle
Nervous tissue
Purpose of the Exercise
Review the characteristics of muscle and nervous tissues and observe examples of these
tissues.
Procedure
1. Complete Part A .
2. Look for the special features of each type.
3. Observe the prepared slide of nervous tissue and identify neurons (nerve cells), neuron
processes, and neuroglial cells. Compare your prepared slide of nervous tissue to the
micrograph included in this laboratory.
4. Complete Part B.
Part A
Match the tissue type with the characteristics. Place the letter of your choice in the space
provided. (Some answers may be used more than once.)
___ 1. Coordinates, regulates, and integrates body functions.
___ 2. Contains intercalated discs.
___ 3. Muscle that lacks striations.
___ 4. Striated and involuntary.
___ 5. Striated and voluntary.
___ 6. Contains neurons and neuroglial cells.
___ 7. Muscle attached to bones.
___ 8. Muscle that is found only in the heart.
___ 9. Moves food through the digestive tract.
___10. Transmits impulses along cytoplasmic extensions.
a. Skeletal muscle
b. Smooth muscle
c. Cardiac muscle
d. Nervous tissue
Part B
Micrographs of Muscle and Nervous Tissues
Skeletal muscle (400x)
Location _______________
Function _______________
Cardiac muscle (400x)
Location _______________
Function _______________
Smooth muscle (400x)
Location _______________
Function _______________
Nervous (400x)
Location _______________
Function _______________