Purpose:
To learn the parts and functions of the nervous system.
To identify the parts of the frog brain and peripheral
nerves. To compare the nervous system of the frog
with the human.
Carefully remove all the bone from
the skull above the frog brain. Be careful not to cut
too deep. Lift the brain out of the skull Identify the
parts of the frog brain. Label the frog diagram below.
Nervous
System: The central nervous system of the
frog consists of the brain, which is enclosed
in the skull, and the spinal cord, which is enclosed
in the backbone. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord.
Brain
Comparison: The diagram below compares the
brains of amphibians with reptiles, birds and mammals.
Note the similar structures. Compare the size of the
brain for each.
Table:
Identification and Function
|
Brain Identification
|
Brain Function
|
| Olfactory Bulb |
. |
| Cerebrum |
. |
| Thalamus |
. |
| Optic Lobe |
. |
| Optic Chiasma |
. |
| Optic Nerve |
. |
| Cerebellum |
. |
| Medulla |
. |
| Spinal Nerve |
. |
Analysis
Questions:
-
What parts of the frogs brain seem
to be most highly developed? How does this help the
frog in its natural environment?
- What senses are related to the frog brain structure?
- Is the frog brain more or less highly developed tha
a birds brain? Explain.
- Suppose in a living frog
the spinal nerve extending to the leg muscle were cut.
What ability would the frog lose? Why?
Conclusion:
What did you learn about the frog brain and
nervous system? How does the frog brain compare to the
human brain? What are the similarities and differences?
