A New Versatile and Powerful Microcomputer Data Acquisition System for Both Undergraduate Physiology Laboratories and Research

通过增加6个功能齐全、价格低廉的微型计算机数据采集站和与微型计算机接口的生理仪器，动物生理学的教学正在现代化，本科生的研究能力正在提高。生理学站提供了几项课程改进，包括：1)增加新的实验；2)学生学习现代数据采集技术；3)连接到投影仪的微型计算机，用作课堂教学辅助工具；4)学生更好地理解科学方法，因为他们花了更多的时间设计和执行实验；5)更多的本科生承担个人研究项目。为此购置了下列仪器：Macintosh LC微型计算机、打印机、数据采集硬件和软件(Biopac确认)、换能器、放大器、刺激器、微电极站设备和上皮性电压钳。新的实验包括：1)蛙神经肌肉接头的膜和突触生理学；2)小龙虾后肠平滑肌的生理学和药理学研究；3)采用蔗糖间隙技术的文蛤心脏的膜生理学；4)蟑螂腿神经的神经感觉生理学；5)钠跨电压钳制蛙皮肤的转运机制；(6)心血管功能实验室(CFL)模拟心血管生理学。CFL伴随着麻醉大鼠的实际血压测量。

The teaching of animal physiology is being modernized and undergraduate research capabilities improved by adding six highly versatile, inexpensive microcomputer data acquisition stations and physiological instruments which interface with the microcomputers. The physiology stations provide several curricular improvements, which include: 1) adding new experiments; 2) students learning modern data acquisition techniques; 3) the microcomputer, interfaced to an overhead projector, used as a classroom teaching aid; 4) students gaining a better understanding of the scientific method because they spend more time designing and performing experiments; and 5) more undergraduates undertaking individual research projects. The following instruments have been acquired for this purpose: Macintosh LC microcomputers, printers, data acquisition hardware and software (BIOPAC's Acknowledge), transducers, amplifiers, stimulators, equipment for a microelectrode station and an epithelial voltage clamp. The new experiments include: 1) membrane and synaptic physiology of frog neuromuscular junction; 2) physiology and pharmacology studies of smooth muscle in crayfish hindgut; 3) membrane physiology of clam heart, employing the sucrose gap technique; 4) neurosensory physiology of cockroach leg nerve; 5) mechanism of Na+ transport across voltage-clamped frog skin; and 6) cardiovascular physiology stimulated with Cardiovascular Function Lab (CFL). CFL accompanies actual blood pressure measurements made in anaesthetized rats.