1.A detailed description of the structure of the kidney and its blood supply, illustrated by a series of 3D pictures and animations.
2. A discussion of the processes of filtration and selective re-absorption, illustrated by a series of animations.
3. An introduction to oedema and its causes, and a consideration of the mechanism of action of the commonly used classes of diuretics.
Each part is followed by a self-evaluation test.
Each page deals with a fundamental description or concept, but provides information of increasing complexity presented as a sequence of layered windows. Each layer is revealed by clicking on hot text or diagrams in the current screen display. The program design provides the student with control over the depth of study. From 16 main pages a total of 140 individual screens will be accessed if the whole package is completed.
The program has been designed to meet the needs of a wide range of Life Science teaching schemes.The first two parts, dealing with the kidney structure and function are appropriate to foundation or intermediate human biology and para-medical courses, depending upon the depth to which the material is explored. The oedema and diuretic section have been written for pharmacy and medical students.
Many of the concepts associated with kidney structure and function are difficult to portray in words and still pictures. The program makes extensive use of animations to illustrate the transport mechanisms involved in selective re-absorption.