Name: PhysEX-06-02

Exercise 6: Cardiovascular Physiology: Activity 2: Examining the Effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Lab Report

Pre-lab Quiz Results

You scored 25% by answering 1 out of 4 questions correctly.

1. The effect of the parasympathetic nervous system on the heart is

to You correctly answered: a. decrease the heart rate.

2. The branch of the autonomic nervous system that dominates during exercise is
Your answer : a. the parasympathetic branch.
Correct answer: b. the sympathetic branch.

3. Parasympathetic stimulation reaches the heart through

Your answer : a. peripheral nerves.
Correct answer: d. vagus nerves, which are cranial nerves.

4. The usual pacemaker of the heart

Your answer : a. is always external.
Correct answer: c. is the sinoatrial node.

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Experiment Results
Predict Question:
Predict Question: What do you think will happen if you apply multiple stimuli to the heart by indirectly stimulating the vagus
nerve?
You did not answer this question.

Stop & Think Questions:

1. Watch the contractile activity from the frog heart on the oscilloscope.

Enter the number of ventricular contractions per minute (from the heart rate display) in the field below and then click
Submit Data to record your answer in the lab report.
You answered: 61 beats/min

The vagus nerve carries

You did not answer this question.
Correct answer: a. signals that decrease the heart rate.

3. Enter the number of ventricular contractions per minute (from the heart rate display) in the field below and then click
Submit Data to record your answer in the lab report.
You answered: 61 beats/min

The response that resumed the heartbeat after the vagus nerve stimulation is called
You did not answer this question.
Correct answer: b. vagal escape.

Experiment Data:

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Post-lab Quiz Results
You scored 25% by answering 1 out of 4 questions correctly.

1. Extreme vagus nerve stimulation affects the heart by

You correctly answered: a. stopping the heart completely.

2. Vagal escape probably involves

Your answer: a. parasympathetic reflexes.
Correct answer: c. sympathetic reflexes.

3. Research shows that, in the absence of neural and hormonal influences, the SA node generates action potentials at a
frequency of approximately 100 times per minute. However, the resting heart rate is approximately 70 beats per minute,
which suggests that
Your answer: a. the sympathetic nervous system has more control over heart rate.
Correct answer: b. the parasympathetic nervous system has more control over heart rate.

4. The SA (sinoatrial) node in the human heart is located

Your answer: a. in the Purkinje fibers
Correct answer: c. in the right atrium

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Review Sheet Results
1. Explain the effect that extreme vagus nerve stimulation had on the heart. How well did the results compare with
your prediction?
You did not answer this question.

2. Explain two ways that the heart can overcome excessive vagal stimulation.
You did not answer this question.

3. Describe how the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together to regulate heart
rate. You did not answer this question.

4. What do you think would happen to the heart rate if the vagus nerve was cut?
You did not answer this question.

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