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Cardio-respiratory Physiology: How can seals dive so deep for so long? | Virtual Lab

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Higher Education
Health Sciences
Biology
Cardio-respiratory Physiology: How can seals dive so deep for so long?
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About This Simulation

Monitor three dives of a Weddell seal in Antarctica and discover how long it can dive with the oxygen available in its stores.

Learning Objectives

  • Explain physiological adaptations of the cardio-respiratory system of seals to deep diving
  • Point out differences between human and seal physiology during long, deep dives without oxygen
  • Evaluate respiratory and cardiovascular function
  • Measure oxygen consumption and calculate the total amount of oxygen needed for dives of various durations, and compare this to estimated oxygen stores in the lungs, blood, and tissues of seals
  • Use graphing approaches to relate type of exercise to metabolic and heart rates

About This Simulation

Level:
Higher Education
Length:
36
Min
Accessibility Mode:
Available
Languages:
English

Lab Techniques

  • Use a metabolic dome and oxygen analyzer to collect oxygen consumption data
  • Interpret an ECG
  • Catheter insertion and blood collection at different time points
  • Data analysis through calculations and results interpretation (calculate total oxygen stores, aerobic dive limit, oxygen consumption, and ATP generation from aerobic and partially anaerobic dives)
No lab techniques are listed for this simulation.

Related Standards

University:
NGSS:
  • No direct alignment
AP:
  • No direct alignment
LB:
  • Biology D.6 Transport of respiratory gases
  • 6.4 Gas exchange
No related standards are listed for this simulation.

Learn More About This Simulation

How Weddell seals can dive up to 600 meters and for over 30 minutes is a bit of a mystery. In this simulation, you will learn about oxygen stores, aerobic dive limit, aerobic and partially anaerobic ATP generation, and special cardio-respiratory adaptations that allow seals to perform deep, long dives that would be impossible for humans without scuba diving equipment.

Monitor seal dives in Antarctica

Welcome to the Labster research station in Antarctica! Here, you will join our team and help monitor Weddell seal dives to study what cardio-respiratory adaptations seals possess to be able to dive so deep and for such a long amount of time. Humans and seals have different amounts of oxygen available to them, and they also store it at different proportions in lungs, blood and muscle. Do seals and humans have the same factorial increase in oxygen consumption? Monitor three dives and collect data on consumed oxygen and blood lactate to find out.

Get a puzzle piece for each calculation you get right

You will equip a Weddell seal with a camera, instruments pack and catheter for blood collection, and watch it dive and come back up to the surface of the hole in the ice in the research hut. Through fun mini-games, you will calculate available oxygen, aerobic dive limit and ATPs generated during aerobic and partially anaerobic dives. For each correct result, you will get a piece of the puzzle!

Swim with a seal

At the end, when you have all your puzzle pieces, your reward will be an interactive dive with the seal. You will be able to see a summary of its main cardio-respiratory adaptations to diving.

Will you be able to guess them before you click the different parts?

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What is a Labster virtual lab?

A Labster virtual lab is an interactive, multimedia assignment that students access right from their computers. Many Labster virtual labs prepare students for success in college by introducing foundational knowledge using multimedia visualizations that make it easier to understand complex concepts. Other Labster virtual labs prepare learners for careers in STEM labs by giving them realistic practice on lab techniques and procedures.

How is Labster different from other learning solutions?

Labster’s virtual lab simulations are created by scientists and designed to maximize engagement and interactivity. Unlike watching a video or reading a textbook, Labster virtual labs are interactive. To make progress, students must think critically and solve a real-world problem. We believe that learning by doing makes STEM stick.

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Yes, Labster is compatible with all major LMS (Learning Management Systems) including Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, Moodle, and many others. Students can access Labster like any other assignment. If your institution does not choose an LMS integration, students will log into Labster’s Course Manager once they have an account created. Your institution will decide which is the best access method.

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