Leech Neurophysiology Lab

During the first few days of our new semester, we did an online leech lab. 

You might ask the purpose? Well, it was to educate us on Neurophysiology! So here we go.. :)

Materials:

• Scalpel
• Pins
• Probe
• Forceps
• Scissors
• Dissection Tray
• Leech Tank
• Feather
• Leech Tongs
• 20% Ethanol
• Dissection Microscope
• Micro-Manipulator
• Oscilloscope 

Procedure: 
Step 1- Catch & anesthetize the leech in the 20% Ethanol
Step 2- Pin the leech (dorsal side up) onto the dissection tray and stretch the leech open
Step 3- Use the scissors to cut the skin along the middle of the dorsal side. Use the forceps to pull the skin from the incision and pin the that skin down to you can see the inside of the leech!
Step 4 - Remove the gut to expose the nerve cord underneath.
Step 5 - Cut a small piece under the ganglion.
Step 6 - Pin the piece skin side up.
Step 7 - Look at the piece through the microscope.
Step 8 - Use the electrode over the ganglion to simulate the process of penetrating the cell. The Oscilloscope will tell you if you found a cell or not. You can use the feather, forceps, and probe to see how each cell will respond. After you locate the cells, use the dye to see exactly where they are located. 
Step 9 - Use the UV switch to see each cell structure. 


Data:

 This is what I would call a P-Cell. 

This is what I identified as an R-Cell.

 
 
This is what I identified as a T-Cell

This is what I identified as an X-Cell.

This is what I identified as a N-Cell.












Conclusion:
This lab helped me understand how each of the cells work and it was interesting to find out how each one of them responded to each stimuli and how many cells there actually were. Each cell was actually located in a different region which also made it interesting to see how each one of them responded to each stimuli or didn't respond to certain stimuli at all. At the end, I can honestly say that this online virtual lab did help me bunches in learning how Neurophysiology works!