Name_________________________________________
Period________________________
Date_________________________
Nervous System Investigation
In this investigation you will test the speed that your nervous system
as it responds to stimuli. You will then construct a model and develop
an explanation of how the nervous system responds to stimuli.
I. INTRODUCTION
Description of phenomena:
Write a scientific question based on phenomena that you can investigate in class:
Initial Claim (what do you think the answer to your scientific question is?):
II. EXPERIMENTATION
A. Planning the Investigation - Design an experiment to try to answer
your question.
Consider the goal of the investigation, the materials, the safety, and
the constraints. Respond to the prompts below as you design your
experiment.
1. What are the independent and dependent variables of the lab
investigation? What will controlled variables be?
2. Explain the tools you will use, the measurements you will take, and
how you will record your measurements? How much data will you
need to support your claim?
3. Use this area to create a diagram/model of your proposed
experimental set up.
4. What safety protocols are required for this experiment?
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B. Carrying Out the Investigation
Visual Test
1. Subject one dangles their dominant hand off the edge of a table.
2. Subject two holds a 30-centimeter (12-inch) ruler between two fingers at the 30 cm mark,
having the 0-mark touching subject one’s index finger.
3. Subject two tells subject one to grab the ruler as fast as possible, when they SEE it being
released.
4. Record the centimeter measurement.
5. Repeat three times, for a total of four measurements
Auditory Test
1. Subject one is blindfolded before dangling dominant hand off the edge of a table.
2. Subject two holds a 30-centimeter (12-inch) ruler between two fingers at the 30 cm mark,
having the 0-mark touching subject one’s index finger.
3. Subject two tells subject one to grab the ruler as fast as possible, when they HEAR the
word “release” being said.
4. Subject two simultaneously says “release” and lets go of the ruler. Record the centimeter
measurement.
5. Repeat three times, for a total of four measurements
Tactile Test
1. Subject one is blindfolded before dangling dominant hand off the edge of a table.
2. Subject two holds a 30-centimeter (12-inch) ruler between two fingers at the 30 cm mark,
having the 0-mark touching subject one’s index finger.
3. Subject two tells subject one to grab the ruler as fast as possible, when they FEEL their
non-dominant shoulder being touched.
4. Subject two simultaneously touches the shoulder and let go of the ruler. Record the
centimeter measurement.
5. Repeat three times, for a total of four measurements
Calculate the average centimeter distance for each sensory measurement.
Use this chart to determine reaction time.
CM Distance Seconds CM Distance Seconds
3.0 0.08 13.0 0.16
4.0 0.09 14.0 0.17
5.0 0.10 15.0 0.17
6.0 0.11 20.0 0.20
7.0 0.12 25.5 0.23
8.0 0.13 25.5 0.23
9.0 0.13 30.5 0.25
10.0 0.14 43.0 0.30
11.0 0.15 61.0 0.35
12.0 0.16 79.0 0.40
III. RESULTS
A. Observations
Visual Test
Distanc Auditory
Trial Test
Distance Tactile
Trial Test
e (cm) (cm)
Trial
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
4 4 4
B. Graph
IV. ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION
A. Explanatory Models - Create a model (drawing) that shows how your nervous
system works to respond to a stimulus.
B. Constructing Explanations
Using what you learned from the Discovery nervous system text as well as the results from this
investigation, construct an explanation of how the nervous system responds to a stimulus. How
do we take in the information, how does information get to the brain, what does the brain do and
how does the brain make sure that we respond?
C. Argument from Evidence
Write a conclusion that addresses each of the points below.
1. The initial claim, the evidence to support or refute the claim, and the scientific reasoning
for observed phenomena.
2. Address any counterclaims posed