VIRTUAL

LABORATORY ACTIVITY WORKSHEET ON

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Introduction:
The organ of the central nervous system that is likely most familiar to you, yet still holds the
greatest mysteries for physiologists, is the brain. Enclosed completely by the skull, the brain is
composed primarily of nervous tissue. This remarkable organ consists of about 100 billion cells
called neurons or nerve cells, that enable everything from the regulation of breathing and the
processing of algebra to performing in the creative arts. At the foramen magnum, the brain
merges with the next organ of the central nervous system: the spinal cord. The spinal cord
passes through the vertebral foramen of the first cervical vertebra and continues inferiorly to
the first or second lumbar vertebra. It contains fewer cells than the brain, with only about 100
million neurons. The spinal cord enables the brain to communicate with most parts of the
body below the head and neck; it is also able to carry out certain functions on its own.

Competencies:
At the end of this activity, the students will be able to:
1. Identify the major regions of the brain.
2. Identify the structures associated with the major regions.
3. Identify the functional areas in the brain and spinal cord.
4. Cite the main function of the two CNS organs and how one is significant to the other.

In your Mastering A&P Course by Pearson, open Study Area and go to Practice Anatomy
Laboratory (PAL). Click open Practice Anatomy Lab 3.0 then look for Anatomical Models.
Within Anatomical Model page, click open Nervous System, then Central Nervous System.
Explore and study the structures of the brain and spinal cord. You may of course try the Quiz
and Lab Practical section. (https://media.pearsoncmg.com/intl/ge/2018/ge_marieb_ehap_12/msa/#pal3)

After the virtual lab study, start accomplishing the worksheet proper below.
NAME Angela Marie Paraiso GR. /SEC. Grade 12 – Br. Alpert

Labeling Exercises: Identify and label the structures in the images provided.

A. Midsagittal Section of the Brain (21 points)

Cerebral Hemisphere

Third Ventricle Corpus Callosum

Choroid plexus of third
ventricle
Occipital lobe of
cerebral hemisphere
Thalamus
Anterior Commissure
Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus Corpora quadrigemina
Optic Chiasma Cerebral Aqueduct

Pituitary Gland Cerebral Peduncle

Mammillary Gland Fourth Ventricle

Pons Choroid Plexus
Medulla Oblongata
Spinal Cord Cerebellum

B. Lateral View (11 points)

Inferior Parietal Lobe Superior parietal lobe

Parietal lobe
Postcentral gyrus
Occipital Lobe Frontal lobe

Central Sulcus

Cerebellum Lateral Sulcus

Brain Stem Temporal Lobe
 C. Superior View (13 points)

Superior sagittal sinus

Skull

Falx Cerebri Scalp

Occipital lobe Dura meter

Scalp
Tentorium Cerebelli
Gray Matter of Cerebral Cortex
Falx Cerebelli
Transverse Sinus

Cerebellum
Temporal bone
Arachnoid mater

D. Functional Areas of the Cerebrum (15 points)

Central Sulcus
Primary Motor Area Primary Somatic Area
Premotor Area
Interior rea
Association Gustatory Area (Taste)
Area
Working memory and Speech / Language
judgement
Problem Solving Posterior Association
Area
Language Comprehension

Broca’s Area (Motor speech) Visual Area

Olfactory Area
Auditory Area
 E. Cross-Section of the Spinal Cord (9 points)

Posterior Funiculus
Posterior Horn Dorsal Root

Dorsal Root Ganglion

Lateral Funiculus Spinal Nerve

Dorsal Root Ganglion

Anterior Horn Ventral Root

Anterior Funiculus

Guide Questions:
Undoubtedly, the brain is the most important organ in the body because of its enormous functions. Having a number of structures
with specific function/s, can we say that all of these structures/regions/areas are equally important? Or is there such thing as the
most important or the least important with regards to the brain? Expound/justify your answer. (8 points)

The structural classification of the brain, which includes all nervous system organs, is separated
into two categories. The brain and spinal cord make up the CNS, Central Nervous System. They
process sensory input and deliver commands depending on prior experience and current
circumstances. Nerves that branch out from the spinal cord and brain make up the Peripheral
Nervous System. These nerves serve as routes for communication. They link all regions of the body
by conveying impulses from sensory receptors to the CNS, which is then sent to the relevant glands
or muscles. The functional classification of the brain is the next step. Only PNS structures are
considered in the functional categorization approach. The sensory division, also known as the
afferent division, is made up of nerves from a variety of nerve fibers that keep the CNS up to date
on occurrences both inside and outside the body. The job of motor division, also known as
efferent, is to carry CNS impulses to effector organs, muscles, and glands. These impulses case a
motor response by stimulating muscles and glands. The motor division is further broken down
into two parts. The somatic nervous system allows us to consciously or involuntarily control our
skeletal muscles. As a result, the voluntary nervous system is frequently used to refer to a
subdivision.
1. How important is the spinal cord to the brain and vice versa? (5 points)

Your brain is connected to your lower back through the spinal cord. Nerve signals travel from
your brain to your body via your spinal cord. These nerve signals aid in the perception of feelings and
the movement of the body. Any damage to your spinal cord might have an impact on your ability to
move and function. The central nervous system of your body is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
Meanwhile, the brain serves as your body’s command center, and the spinal cord serves as a conduit
for messages conveyed from the brain to the body and from the body to the brain. The brain oversees
everything we do and how our bodies work. It provides electrical impulses to all regions of our body
via the spinal cord and nerve fibers. Electrical messages are also sent back to the brain via nerve fibers.
The various portions of our body are controlled by different sections of the brain. The body's central
nervous system is made up of your brain and spinal cord. The brain is your body's command center,
and the spinal cord is the conduit for messages transferred from the brain to the body and back. The
body's voluntary muscle movements are directed by your motor functions.

2. The nervous system has definitely homeostatic relationships with other body systems. Cite at least 5 examples of this
homeostatic relationship/s. (5 points)

SYSTEM FUNCTION ASSOCIATED INTERACTION WITH

ORGANS THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM

Muscular System Muscles enable Muscles (muscles) Muscle receptors send

movement, generate (smooth, skeletal and information about body
heat to keep the body cardiac muscles) position and movement
warm, convey food to the brain.
through the digestive The contraction of
tract, and contract the skeletal muscle is
heart. controlled by the brain.
The nerve system
controls how quickly food
passes through the
digestive tract.

Skeletal System The skeletal system is Bones (e.g., skull, Calcium is a mineral
the body's framework, vertebrae) found in bones that is
allowing us to move when necessary for the
our muscles contract. It nervous system to
stores minerals (for operate properly. The
example, calcium and brain is protected by the
phosphorus) and skull. The spinal cord is
releases them into the protected by the
body as needed. Internal vertebrae. Sensory
organs are likewise receptors in the joints
protected by the skeletal between bones give
system, which also information to the brain
produces blood cells. about body position. The
brain controls muscles to
 govern the posture of
bones.
Cardiovascular System By pumping blood, the Heart, blood, vessels The blood-brain barrier is
cardiovascular system maintained by
transports oxygen, endothelial cells. The
hormones, nutrients, and brain receives
white blood cells information about blood
throughout the body pressure from
while also removing baroreceptors. The
waste items. venous blood supply
receives the
cerebrospinal fluid. Heart
rate and blood pressure
are controlled by the
brain.

Lymphatic System The lymphatic system Adenoid tonsils, thymus, The brain can activate
helps to keep the body lymph nodes, spleen anti-infection defense
clean and free of mechanisms.
infection.
Endocrine System Hormones are secreted Pineal body, Hormones influence
into the bloodstream and hypothalamus, thyroid, neuronal processing by
other bodily fluids via the parathyroid, heart, providing feedback to the
endocrine system. These adrenal gland, kidney, brain. Reproductive
molecules play a role in pancreas, stomach, hormones have an
metabolism, growth, intestines, ovary impact on nervous
water and mineral system development.
balance, as well as stress The pituitary gland and
response. other endocrine glands
are controlled by the
hypothalamus.

References: (3 points)

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/brain-tumours/brain-and-spinal-
cord#:~:text=The%20brain%20controls%20everything%20we,different%20parts%20of%20our%20body.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21946-spinal-
cord#:~:text=It%20connects%20your%20brain%20to,affect%20your%20movement%20or%20function.
https://www.uab.edu/medicine/sci/faqs-about-spinal-cord-injury-sci/what-does-the-spinal-cord-do
https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/organ.html