Metabolic System for Physiology Teaching

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

In recent years physiologists in the Department of Zoology have made a major effort to incorporate computerized data acquisition as a regular component of our undergraduate laboratory courses. Our long-term goal is to customize data acquisition so that students can quickly get down to the business of doing physiology rather than wasting time and energy struggling with antiquated equipment. Student enthusiasm has been so exceptional that we are encouraged to continue to modernize undergraduate (primarily major) courses in laboratory physiology and in physiological ecology. A computerized "turn- key" system is being used to measure the metabolic rates of both aerial and aquatic animals, with capacities to measure small ectotherms such as insects. Metabolism is a basic physiological focus that is relevant to diverse aspects of biology. The facility is being used primarily by students doing original research projects (e.g., "cost" of locomotion in insects, metabolic consequences of acid rain on plankton) in the laboratory sections of our physiology courses. The system is superbly suited for a student laboratory setting. Moreover, it is remarkably flexible and can measure and analyze the instantaneous metabolic rate of animals ranging in size from individual Drosophila or Daphnia to humans. The equipment used consists of a sensitive C02 analyzer, a compatible O2 analyzer, dissolved O2 meter and oxygen electrode, respiration cell, mass-flow meter, A:D board, computer, as well as data- acquisition and analysis software. Students using this sophisticated but user-friendly system are able to explore physiological problems (and organisms) previously inaccessible to them and indeed even to most professional physiologists. This system is not only enhancing the physiological training of students, but also encouraging them to consider a research career in physiology.