How to Dissect a Sheep's Brain

A sheep's brain is similar in structure and function to that of a human. In a sheep's brain you can see where memory processes occur just as in a human brain. This is why many colleges and universities have their students dissect a sheep's brain. Follow these steps to learn how.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Practice infection control before you begin to dissect the sheep's brain. To do this put on latex gloves and a pair of scrubs or an apron. Keep your hands away from your face throughout the dissection.

2. Place the sheep's brain on a dissecting plate. Keep a hazardous waste container nearby.

3. Examine the outer layer of the brain. This is called the cortex. Notice how it is only a few millimeters thick but contains 70 percent of the brain cells.

4. Slice off a thin piece of the brain using a scalpel. Notice the dark gray top of the cortex that is referred to as "gray matter." The layer on the inside is known as "white matter."

5. Take notice of the three main areas of the brain. The prefrontal cortex which is located at the front of the sheep brain, the hippocampus which is located on the side of the brain and the cerebellum which is located down by the spinal cord.

6. Dissect the brain in half along the longitudinal line. Consider the many features of the medial face of the hemisphere. Notice how the cerebellum is shaped like a leaf.

7. Discard the sheep's brain in a hazardous waste container. Clean the dissecting tray and scalpel. Remove your scrubs or apron then wash and sanitize your hands.