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Article
Muscle Receptor Organs in the Crayfish Abdomen: A Student Laboratory Exercise in Proprioception
Journal of Visualized Experiments
  • Bonnie Leksrisawat, University of Kentucky
  • Ann S. Cooper, University of Kentucky
  • Allison B. Gilberts, University of Kentucky
  • Robin L. Cooper, University of Kentucky
Abstract

The primary purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate primary sensory neurons conveying information of joint movements and positions as proprioceptive information for an animal. An additional objective of this experiment is to learn anatomy of the preparation by staining, dissection and viewing of neurons and sensory structures under a dissecting microscope. This is performed by using basic neurophysiological equipment to record the electrical activity from a joint receptor organ and staining techniques. The muscle receptor organ (MRO) system in the crayfish is analogous to the intrafusal muscle spindle in mammals, which aids in serving as a comparative model that is more readily accessible for electrophysiological recordings. In addition, these are identifiable sensory neurons among preparations. The preparation is viable in a minimal saline for hours which is amenable for student laboratory exercises. The MRO is also susceptible to neuromodulation which encourages intriguing questions in the sites of modulatory action and integration of dynamic signals of movements and static position along with a gain that can be changed in the system.

Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-18-2010
Disciplines
Notes/Citation Information

Published in Journal of Visualized Experiments, v. 45, e2323, p. 1-10.

Copyright © 2010 Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
http://dx.doi.org/10.3791/2323
Citation Information
Bonnie Leksrisawat, Ann S. Cooper, Allison B. Gilberts and Robin L. Cooper. "Muscle Receptor Organs in the Crayfish Abdomen: A Student Laboratory Exercise in Proprioception" Journal of Visualized Experiments Vol. 45 Iss. e2323 (2010) p. 1 - 10
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/robin_cooper/100/