Argues that computer-simulated experiments offer educational tools to foster student development of problem-solving skills without traditional laboratory time and expense. The evolution of the medical physiology course at Rush Medical College is used to illustrate trends in this area. They include experiments on PLATO, and on personal computers.…

Describes two quantitatively-oriented physiology laboratories for veterinary students. The laboratory exercises incorporate the procedures of radiology and physical examination with measurement of pulmonary function. Specific laboratory objectives, procedures and equipment needed for diagnoses of the pathologies are listed. (ML)

Describes a laboratory exercise which demonstrates qualitatively the specificity of the transport mechanism, including a consideration of the competitive inhibition, and the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in active transport. The exercise, which can be completed in two to three hours by groups of four students, consistently produces reliable…

Discusses steps to be executed when studying physiological systems with theoretical mathematical models. Steps considered include: (1) definition of goals; (2) model formulation; (3) mathematical description; (4) qualitative evaluation; (5) parameter estimation; (6) model fitting; (7) evaluation; and (8) design of new experiments based on the…

Examines the pitfalls of understanding and interpreting venous physiology. Includes techniques to measure reflex changes in capacity vessel pressure--volume characteristics. (MA)

Describes an experiment which demonstrates changes in ammonia excretion and urine pH that occur in response to metabolic acidosis (induced by ammonium chloride ingestion) or metabolic alkalosis (produced by sodium bicarbonate ingestion). List of materials needed and background information are included. Typical results are provided and discussed.…

Describes a laboratory experiment designed to give beginning physiology students a successful experience with neurophysiological Techniques and to demonstrate some properties of sensory neurons. Pin electrodes are used to record extracellularly from mechanoreceptors in a cockroach leg. (Author/MA)

Describes materials and procedures for an experiment utilizing a live dog to demonstrate: (1) physiology of the salivary gland; (2) parasympathetic control of the salivary gland; (3) influence of varying salivary flow rates on sodium and potassium ions, osmolarity and pH; and (4) salivary secretion as an active process. (DS)

Describes the structure of a laboratory that integrates material introduced in the various disciplines including microbiology, pathology, and histology. (MA)

Describes the use of a small digital computer to simulate a peripheral nerve demonstration in which the action potential responses to pairs of stimuli are used to illustrate the properties of excitable membranes. (Author/MA)

Describes a computer-based instructional model for the physiology laboratory. Attempts to develop an efficient and low-cost system designed to provide dynamic student/machine interaction are discussed. (MA)

Describes a model which gives realistic predictions of pulsatile pressure, flow, and volume events in the cardiovascular system. Includes computer oriented laboratory exercises for veterinary and graduate students; equations of the dynamic and algebraic models; and a flow chart for the cardiovascular teaching program. (JN)

Association of Chairmen of Departments of Physiology (ACDP) members were surveyed to provide data on use of animals in physiology teaching. Information derived from the 88 surveys completed and returned (135 were mailed) are presented in a copy of the instrument. One question lists alternatives to using live animals. (JN)

Provided are 10 papers presented during a symposium on teaching cardiovascular physiology outside the lecture hall. Topics addressed include a mechanical model of the cardiovascular system for effective teaching, separate course for experiments in cardiovascular physiology, selective laboratory (alternative to cookbook experiments), cardiovascular…

Twelve abstracts of papers presented at the 33rd Annual Fall Meeting of the American Physiological Society are listed, focusing on teaching materials/methods. Topics, among others, include trends in physiology laboratory programs, cardiovascular system model, cardiovascular computer simulation with didactic feedback, and computer generated figures…