The Effect of decerebrating the toad on its spinal cord reflexes

Shaine Dominique C. Santos

2015-05262
ZOO 1 T-7L

I.

Abstract

II.

Introduction
A. Background of Study
(edit edit) The toads brain is not always involved in responding to
stimuli. Some reflexes does not require the toads brain to work. These
reflexes are called spinal reflexes. However, most of the spinal reflexes are
quite complex.
The purpose of this study is to determine what is the effect of
decerebrating the frog to its reflexes. In addition, this study is done to
determine what reflexes are induced only by the toads spinal cord and
also to fully understand how the toads nervous system function/ work.
Previous studies on frogs reflexes have been made. According to
Menses, Simons, and Russels Muscle Pain: Understanding Its Nature,
Diagnosis, and Treatment, frogs have complicated spinal and supra spinal
input of integration because frogs have a large variety of receptors in its
nervous system. They stated that one example of this complication is the
decerebrated frogs wiping reflex is exhibited when a filter paper soaked
in acid is placed on its back. They explained that this phenomenon
happened because reflex is controlled only by the spinal cords motor
interneurons.
Based on researches made by Flourens (1820), Flourens concluded
that cerebral lobes composes the site for intelligence and volition, and
muscular coordination and body equilibrium is facilitated by the
cerebellum.

Goltz (1834-1902) performed an experiment concerning brain

functions of a frog. In this experiment, he concluded that frogs even after
decerebrating is still able to perform psychic activities but he also
observed that decerebrating the frog resulted on very abnormal
movements and responses to stimuli. He also observed that the frogs
croaking reflex and clasping reflex is facilitated by the brain, and these
can be hindered by removing the brain.
Blankenagel (1931) studied functions of cerebrum in amphibians.
He found that operated frogs only responds touch based stimuli and stayed
passive. He also showed that frogs with no thalamus does not react to
visual or auditory stimuli.
B. Objectives
To know the if decerebrating the frog
C. Importance of the study
To fully understand the toads nervous system
D. Hypothesis
If a toad is decerebrated, then the toads reflexes are not affected.
III.

Methods and Materials

To determine the toads blinking reflex, the toad is handled by securely holding the
hind legs. A blunt object is probed close to one eye and the reaction of eyelids is
observed. To determine the toads withdrawal reflex, the toad was grasped on its head and

hind legs securely on one hand and poured a drop of acetic acid on the lower back surface
of the frog using a dropper. The reaction was noted. To determine the toads jumping
reflex, the toad was placed on the table and stimulated the toad to jump then was placed
on its back to determine its righting reflex. The toads response was observed. To
determine toads croaking reflex, the toads belly and throat regions were stroked and the
reaction was observed. To determine the toads swimming reflex, the toad was place in a
basil filled with water and observed its reaction. The toad was pithed anteriorly and left
the spinal cord intact to know if decerebrating the toad affects its reflexes. The toad was
decerebrated by severing the spinal cord at the neck level. The head was cut off by using
scissors and the lower jaw was left intact. The tests in determining the response to
different stimuli that was mentioned above was repeated to the decerebrated toad.

IV.

Results and Discussion

Response
Intact
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Stimulus
Blunt probe
(Blinking reflex)
Acetic Acid
(Withdrawal reflex)
Jumping Reflex
Toad on its back
(Righting Reflex)
Stroking to belly
(Croaking reflex)
Swimming reflex

Decerebrated

+
+

The table compares responses of a toad with its brain intact and a decerebrated
toad on different stimulus. The toad with an intact brain exhibited six out of six

reflexes. The reflexes that were exhibited are the following: (a) blinking reflex (a)
withdrawal reflex (b) jumping reflex (c) righting reflex (d) croaking reflex (e)
swimming reflex. The decerebrated toad exhibited only one out six reflexes. The only
reflex that was exhibited by the decerebrated frog is its withdrawal reflex.
A change of response to stimuli was observed after decerebrating the toad.
The toads blinking reflex, jumping reflex, righting reflex, croaking reflex, and
swimming reflex was not observed on the decerebrated toad but was observed on the
toad with an intact brain. The toads withdrawal reflex is retained after decerebrating
the toad.