Lab 1: Heart Rate & Data Analysis

We will begin labs on the first week of class.

  • Before Lab:
  • Watch Instrumentation Podcast.
  • Read Lab 1 and Hlimoneko Paper linked below.
  • Do Lab 1 PreLab Quiz in Laulima under Tests and Quizzes before lab (based on Hlimoneko). You get 2 tries.
  • Please bring a bound notebook to lab for your lab notebook. (e.g., a $1 composition book, used is OK)

Check out the LABS tab on the upper menu bar for Quick Reference Guide and Standard Protocols.

Notes: A rough guide to length for this mini-lab is 1-2 pages. Content is more important than length. You do not need to fill up the 2 pages (if you finish in 1.5 pages, that’s even better).

The first lab will focus on data analysis to set you up well for the remaining labs in this class. Please try hard to understand the mechanisitic and conceptual connections between data and ideas/conclusions.

You will be turning in 1 assignment per group. Include the full names of each lab member and who is Project Coordinator.

If you are confused about any of the instructions or have any questions about the assignments, please send let us know.

-Claire

Wilkinson et al 2000 figures

Lab-Expectations

Zool430lab_report_guidelines

Hlimonenko_et_al_2003

Wilkinson_et_al_2000_figures

Course FAQs

What is it?

This is an upper level class for people interested in learning comparative physiology  via original research projects.  We will learn physiology and apply our skills to reconstructing the physiological systems of an extinct animal. How could it have lived? We will figure it out by doing some original research. 

Ideas are exciting! And it is exhilarating to find out what we can explain through our own scientific efforts. 

The lab allows students to see physiology in action in live-animal experiments illustrating heart regulation, muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and kidney function.

There are no exams. In real life there are no “tests” – only work – and judgement by the quality of your work. So we will learn science by doing science. Continue reading Course FAQs

Re Human ECG Lab

Aloha class, really good improvements on the human ECG labs this week, especially in the results. Just to make sure weʻre all on the same page regarding any remaining confusion on the WorkSheets here are some clarifications:

  1. The goal of the worksheet is to help you focus on making a strong hypotheses (section 1+2) , and linking data (3) to interpretation (4).
  2. For the Hypotheses, you need to clearly articulate mechanisms and how they will be demonstrated (section 1) and expectations – the parameters involved and how they are expected to vary in the data (2).
  3. Results – What the data show. Make sure you have a result for each hypothesis. Basically follow the lab grading rubric, but shorter. Get straight to the point.
  4. Discussion –  Interpret the results. Link the evidence (data) back to the mechanisms and explain the physiology.

The comments below may or may not apply to you – use your judgement. If youʻre not sure, please ask your TA.

For Hypothesis section 2, some people didnʻt have clear expectations. Some didnʻt explain HOW the parameters would vary. Heart sounds happen with which phase of the ECG, etc? This is not the time for definitions, but what do you expect to see in the data? Any necessary definitions would go in section 1.

For Results, some folks forgot to address the heart sounds and ECG hypothesis regarding the role of the valves in the cardiac cycle. This was a major omission. Some folks were not clear on what the figure is. Is it ECG amplitude or duration? We know HR increases, but did everything increase to the same degree?  Details make for deeper inference. If you donʻt look carefully at the data, it is hard to make good inferences in Discussion.

For Discussion, Dig deeper into the results. Summarize the important result, but then go further and interpret. For example, When HR increased, which interval(s) was most responsible? What is going on at that time in terms of cardiac cycle? Does that make sense in terms of increasing cardiac output? etc. … really dig into their numbers and link back to what you know. Connect the dots. How might it be important?

Most of you are making excellent progress! Keep it up. If you donʻt understand why you got the grade you did, please ASK. Any Questions, please ask ask ask.

We know youʻre working hard. We want you to do the best you possibly can.

Investigating life at UH Manoa