INVESTIGATIVE APPROACH ON THE EFFECTS OF SALT ON MUSCLE

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE GASTROCNEMIUS/SCIATIC NERVE OF

RHINELLA MARINA BY THE USE OF KYMOGRAPH

Objectives Of The Study

This experiment generally aims to investigate the muscle physiology by

using the frog's gastrocnemius muscle and the sciatic nerve to observe for

muscle activity by the use of Kymograph.

Specifically, this study aims to:

1. To observe for muscle excitation and contraction in the gastrocnemius

muscle and the sciatic nerve of Rhinella marina by recording the traces

produced on the paper whilst the drum is rotating at a pre-set speed;

and

2. To obtain knowledge on the methods on the process of setting-up and

performing Kymograph to be able to study muscle physiology.

 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Frog Dissection

The frog's head is cut off and the spinal cord destroyed by pushing a

metal pin down the vertebral canal with rotary

Remove the skin from the thigh to the hind limb of the frog, which leg of

the frog you would prefer, do this process with either a scissor or by pulling it

off from the leg in one piece.

Lay the frog on its ventral surface on the dissecting plate. Identify the

gastrocnemius and the Achilles tendon, which passes around the ankle joint.

Tract the path of the sciatic nerve between the thigh muscles, by using

scissors, forcibly use scissors to bisect the leg portion of the frog from its

body.

Identify the cream colored sciatic nerve, which is seen with darker and

much thinner vessel.

 Separate the sciatic nerve from the surrounding connective tissue,

using forceps to pull on adjacent tissues and the by using another utensil

preferably a blunt rod to lift the nerve. Keep moist.

Cut the sciatic nerve while lifting it with a blunt rod with a scissor.

Starting from the portion of the sciatic nerve located beside the gastrocnemius

to the pyriformis or iliacus of the frog.

Gastrocnemius/Sciatic Nerve Preparation

Tie a piece of thread about 20cm long to the Achilles tendon close to

the muscle.

Transfer the preparation to the muscle bath, which is filled with Ringer

Solution. Secure the preparation in the appropriate position by pinning

through the knee joint.

Connect the thread from the tendon to the lever. Finally drape the

sciatic nerve across the tendon to the lever, as shown in the figure below.

(Image source: www.scribd.com)

Set-up of Kymograph (Figure below)
RESULTS & DISCUSSION

MECHANICAL
 CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

One way to visually and effectively study the characteristics of muscle

contraction is simply to stimulate a muscle and watch the results. This

experiment is intended to depict that muscles, similar to nerves, respond to

various stimulations (such as, touch, chemicals, heat, electricity, drying, etc.),
and it can give you an idea of the relationship between the amount of

stimulation and the extent to which the muscle responds.

ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY: 3-BSBIO-A

Razel Joy De Jesus

Charlie Dapun

Leanne Dalpin

Sandhy Chavez