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Reviewed by: Jonathon Heywood BSc CBiol MIBiol Lawrence Sheriff School Clifton Road, Rugby Warks UK This review has been submitted to the Institute of Biology in the UK. Star Rating (max 5 stars)
The user is taken initially through a straightforward introduction to the features and controls of a basic stimulator and oscilloscope and is given the opportunity to investigate the effect of different settings. This leads into a section explaining bioelectric potentials and their measurement. Although no detailed prior knowledge is expected, abbreviated references to, for example, ion conductance and sodium gating are left unexplained. The graphics are, however, helpful and many useful exercises are included such as wiring a virtual subject for study and changing settings once an investigation is under way. Occasional questions are well pitched although not always directly related to material covered. There are few surprises here, just clear and straightforward simulations of basic concepts in neuro-muscular physiology including resting/action potentials, propagation of impulses, all-or-none responses, summation and conduction velocity. If you are looking for a different and interactive way to reinforce these concepts, then this is a safe supplement to, but little substitute for teaching them in the lab although, in it's defence, it presumably wasn't intended as a substitute. For introducing these concepts to an audience of future physiologists when the kit is not available, this is certainly worth a look. An effective package let down only slightly by minor technical/factual errors or omissions. |