Muscle Physiology

A computer simulation of experiments which may be performed on the isolated frog sciatic nerve-gastrocnemius muscle preparation.

An interactive, menu-driven and easy to use program, which simulates experiments on the frog sciatic nerve - gastrocnemius muscle preparation to illustrate physiological properties of skeletal muscle. Experiments include:

• stimulus voltage/response relationships,
• summation,
• tetanus,
• length-tension relationship,
• action of curare.

Real experimental data is used to generate simulated muscle contractions, which are displayed in a form comparable to that of an oscilloscope. Each experiment is prefaced by introductory text, and experiment guide and includes assignments (MCQ, true-false, data interpretation) for students to complete which are designed to reinforce underlying physiological principles, and test accuracy of data collection and data interpretation.