Paraphrase the following passage: Long before scientists were able to record spi
ID: 488544 • Letter: P
Question
Paraphrase the following passage:
Long before scientists were able to record spikes, they were able to stimulate the nervous system using batteries (Leyden Jars experiment). Since nerves use electricity to communicate, they can be manipulated with electricity as well. Luigi Galvani, an Italian scientist in the 1700’s, discovered that electricity applied to the nerves of frog legs caused the large muscles to twitch. Such discoveries led to debates at the time as to whether “animal electricity” was different from the electricity during lightning storms. Galvani also tested this by hanging frogs legs off his back porch during the thunderstorms and watching the legs twitch. Eventually, the scientific community discovered that while electricity can indeed stimulate nervous system and muscle tissue, the tissue itself generates electricity. This led to the beginnings of contemporary neuroscience. In another famous experiment, German Medical Scientist Eduard Hitzig and Gustav Fritsch in 1870 applied electricity current to the exposed cerebral cortex (wrinkly part of brain) in dogs in their kitchen, showing that stimulation of different parts of the brain can cause different types of movements.
Explanation / Answer
The spikes here in the passage refer to the waves or signal (like ECG) which could be detected by specific instruments. Long ago before this instrumnetation techniques were known to the scientists, they found a way to relate the biological process especially the related to the neurons which would require an immeasurable vanishingly small electric signal to carry out the functions in the body.So, these kind of testing was done on the frog legs tissues which led to a positive response, they also tested the frog with the electricity produced by the thunderstorm which again gave a positive response. Therefore the scientists came to the conclusion that the electric spark could stimulate an animal tissue, wherein the tissue can itself generate the electricity. This led to the discovery of contemporary neuroscience. Moreover the latest experiment by german medical student showed that different parts of the brain stimulate different parts of the body when an external field is applied.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.