I. Title of Module:

• Physiological Investigations

II. Author:

• Nancy Roman

III. Grade Level:

• High School 9-12

IV. Nature of The Students:

• Urban Minority

V. Purposes (Course Objectives):

1. Students will learn about structure and function of different organs and organ systems using dissecting and analysis techniques.
2. Students will be able to collect, organize, analyze, compare and interpret data obtained.
3. Students will be able to construct a model to simulate the action of a kidney, showing how a kidney removes wastes from the blood with little loss of water.
4. Students will be able to determine the concentration of Vitamin C in various unknowns, fruits and vegetables.
5. Students will be able to prepare chromatography plates to separate the eye color pigments of four mutant Drosophila (fruit fly) strains.
6. Students will be able to take the blood pressure of individuals using conventional blood pressure kits.

VI. Overview: (Course Description): 

• This course offers high school students the opportunity to investigate biological concepts that apply to the field of anatomy and physiology. The activities include dissecting, performing a dialysis simulation, analyzing Vitamin C concentrations, separating eye color pigments of fruit flies, and learning how to take the blood pressure on an individual.
• The dissection of a pig and a frog is used to analyze structure and function.  The data obtained will be used to compare both organisms in terms of their structural/functional similarities and differences. Similarly the essential role of the kidneys will be examined. 
• In order to gain an understanding of chemicals that have physiological effects on the body, we will analyze and quantify various sources of ascorbic acid. 
• Using the scientific method, students will set up an experiment to investigate genotypic composition   and phenotypic expression of a certain trait in fruit flies in order to examine the similarities and differences among each of the samples to be studied. 
• Blood pressure rates will be measured and factors that affect blood pressure in humans will be studied. 

The schedule of activities is outlined below: 

SCHEDULE  

Day #  Activity

1.  Pig dissection part 1

2. Pig dissection part 2

3. Frog dissection part 1

4. Frog dissection part 2

5. Kidney Dialysis

6. Vitamin C effect and concentration

7. Chromatography of eye pigments          

8. Blood Pressure

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Last Updated July 29, 2004 by Roz Krakowsky
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