Extracellular recording of light responses from optic nerve fibers and the caudal photoreceptor in the crayfish

Few laboratory exercises have been developed using the crayfish as a model for teaching how neural processing is done by sensory organs that detect light stimuli. This article describes the dissection procedures and methods for conducting extracellular recording from light responses of both the optic nerve fibers found in the animal’s eyestalk and from the caudal photoreceptor located in the ventral nerve cord. Instruction for ADInstruments’ data acquisition system is also featured for the data collection and analysis of responses. The comparison provides students a unique view on how spike activities measured from neurons code image-forming and non-image-forming processes. Results from the exercise show longer latency and lower frequency of firing by the caudal photoreceptor compared to optic nerve fibers to demonstrate evidence of different functions. After students learn the dissection, recording procedure, and the functional anatomy, they can develop their own experiments to learn more about the photoreceptive mechanisms and the sensory integration of modalities by these light-responsive interneurons.

Title	Extracellular recording of light responses from optic nerve fibers and the caudal photoreceptor in the crayfish
Creator	Van Hoof, A. G.
	Le, C. C.
	Dearworth, James R.
	Nesbit, S. C.
Publisher	Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education
Academic Department	Biology
Division	Natural Sciences
Organization	Lafayette College
Date Issued	2015
Date Available	2015-10-22T15:13:52Z
Type	Article
Language	English
Keyword	Orconectes immunis
	extracellular recording
	optic nerve fibers, caudal photoreceptors
	electrophysiology
	Procambarus clarkii
Bibliographic Citation	Nesbit, S. C., et al. (2015) "Extracellular recording of light responses from optic nerve fibers and the caudal photoreceptor in the crayfish." Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education 14(1): A29-A38
Standard Identifier	Handle 10385/2044
Permalink	http://hdl.handle.net/10385/2044
Rights Statement	In Copyright
Rights Holders	Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience