Lab assignmeny

Neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses Activity 8: Chemical Synaptic Transmission and Neurotransmitter Release (20 points total)

Notes:
•After reading the Overview and Introduction, Click on Experiment. •Follow the directions on the left side of the menu to complete the lab. Use the data chart to answer the following questions. You do not have to submit your lab to be recorded.

Lab Analysis Questions (5 points each)

1.What is the purpose of a neurotransmitter?

2.Which chemical has the greatest effect of neurotransmitter release?

3.Why does the stimulus intensity affect the amount of neurotransmitter release at the axon terminal?

Connections to Human Physiology

1.Considering what you have learned about chemical synapses and neurotransmitters, why is it important to ingest adequate amounts of calcium? If there is not enough circulating calcium in the bloodstream, where will the calcium come from? Why would this be problematic?

Endocrine System Physiology Activity 2: Plasma, Glucose, Insulin and Diabetes (20 points total)

Notes:
•After reading the Overview and Introduction, Click on Experiment. •Follow the directions on the left side of the menu to complete the lab. Record your data in Chart 1. •Use the data chart to answer the following questions. You do not have to submit your lab to be recorded.

Chart 1: Glucose Standard Curve (volume in mg/deciliter) (10 points)
TubeOptical DensityGlucose (mg/deciliter)
1
2
3
4
5

Lab Analysis Questions (5 points each)

1.Explain how a glucose standard curve can be used to determine the concentration of glucose in a sample.

2.According to the glucose standard curve you generated in this activity, estimate the optical density of a solution with a glucose content of 15 mg/deciliter, and explain your answer.

Continue with Part 2 (20 points total)

•Record your data in Chart 2.
•Use the data chart to answer the following questions. You do not have to submit your lab to be recorded.

Chart 2: Fasting Plasma Glucose (volume in mg/deciliter) (5 points)

SampleOptical DensityGlucose (mg/deciliter)
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4
Sample 5

Lab Analysis Questions (3 points each)

1.Do high glucose levels in the blood indicate the presence or absence of
diabetes? Why?

2.Classify each sample as “normal,” “borderline impaired,” or “diabetic.”

3.Assume that Patient 3 is pregnant. How might this change her diagnosis? What recommendations would you make to this patient?

Connections to Human Physiology (3 points each)

4.Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for the human body, and every person requires a certain number of servings of carbohydrates each day. Would it be detrimental to your health to eat all of those servings in a single meal so you do not have to worry about eating throughout the day? Why or why not?

5.Some bodybuilders have started taking massive doses of insulin to help them add muscle mass, because other common methods—including steroids—are illegal. Explain how insulin might aid in the addition of muscle mass and whether or not this practice is safe.