Neuronal Control of Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle: Worksheet

Neuronal Control of Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle: worksheet

PLEASE SUBMIT USING THE DIGITAL WORKSHEET ON MOODLE.

INTRODUCTION (NO MORE THAN 200 WORDS)

Begin with an overview of the problem being investigated. Within this overview, summarise your knowledge of the normal autonomic innervation and control of gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Finish this with the experimental hypothesis and aims. Make sure you reference where appropriate (maximum 5 references for whole report).

METHODS (NO MORE THAN 200 WORDS)

Summarise the specific experimental protocols you have designed and utilised in order to test your hypothesis.

RESULTS (INSERT ALL OF YOUR EXPERIMENTAL FIGURES AND TABLES – NO TEXT IN THIS SECTION)

Table 1. Title (to be placed above the table)

Contraction amplitude pre-nerve stimulation Contraction amplitude with the maximum response to nerve stimulation Effect of nerve stimulation on the contraction amplitude (PLEASE SHOW YOUR CALCULATIONS)

Nerve stimulation

agonist addition? Maximum – Minimum

= mV Maximum – Minimum

= mV Express the effect of nerve stimulation as % change (from pre-nerve stimulation to maximum response to nerve stimulation):

= %

Maximum – Minimum

= mV

Maximum – Minimum

= mV Express the effect of nerve stimulation as % change (from pre-nerve stimulation to maximum response to nerve stimulation):

= %

DISCUSSION (NO MORE THAN 500 WORDS – PLEASE JUST ANSWER QUESTIONS 1-5).

1) Referring to the relevant figure and table, briefly describe the response of the spontaneously contracting ileum to nerve stimulation. Was this response altered by increasing the voltage of nerve stimulation? If yes, why does increasing the voltage change the response to nerve stimulation?

2) What was the frequency of the regular spontaneous contractions in your preparation (measured in contractions per minute)? What causes or initiates these spontaneous contractions? Why do you think autonomic nerve stimulation does not alter the rate of contractions in the ileum, whereas in the heart autonomic nerve stimulation alters the rate of contractions?

3) REFERRING