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About This Simulation
Join a physiology laboratory to understand how smooth muscle contracts by performing several in vitro experiments, and help your friend identify the cause of her intestinal pain.
Learning Objectives
- Describe smooth muscle characteristics
- Explain the autonomous nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) control of smooth muscle
- Identify which neurotransmitters and receptors are involved in smooth muscle contraction
- Use the equipment and interpret the results from the performed experiments
About This Simulation
Lab Techniques
- Myography
Related Standards
- Potentially HS-LS1-2, however likely too high level
- No direct alignment
- 6.1 Digestion and absorption
- Biology D.2 Digestion
Learn More About This Simulation
Have you ever noticed a feeling of discomfort after a large meal? In this simulation, you will learn the basics of smooth muscle contraction and how it is controlled by the nervous system in order to provide more insight into the causes of a friend’s digestion issues.
Use animal models
Although smooth muscle is located in many different parts of your body, this session focuses on the smooth muscle that is located in the intestine. In order to understand how smooth muscle contracts, you will use an animal model that resembles the way smooth muscle works in humans. You will perform different experiments using pieces of rat intestine to evaluate the impact of several neurotransmitters and drugs on smooth muscle contraction.
Get your results in real time and dive into the sample
Learn about the purpose of different parts of equipment in the physiology lab, and discover the importance of the composition of reagents and conditions in conducting experiments with reliable results. You will be able to use different reagents that resemble the control of the nervous system as well as other drugs that modify the smooth muscle contraction. On top of this, you will be able to observe the outcome in real time via your virtual PC screen.
In addition, every time you test a new reagent, you will be able to visualize the results at a cellular level, understanding the changes in the concentration of different molecules and the interaction with the specific receptors to trigger different events, which will ultimately impact the smooth muscle contraction.
Identify the cause of the intestinal pain
At the end of the simulation, after testing your hypothesis and performing all the experiments, you will have a clear understanding of how smooth muscle contracts.
Will you be able to identify the cause of your friend’s intestinal discomfort?
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For Science Programs Providing a Learning Advantage
North Dakota State College of Science
“They did the simulation at home, then completed the in-person lab within 30 minutes, no questions asked, and passed the quiz with flying colors.”
Lecturer in Human Physiology
University of Westminster
"I saw some of the students who clearly didn’t necessarily like sitting there reading a book discover they could turn on Labster and keep up with the rest of the class because it spoke to them.
Modesto City Schools
"Having something that's engaging for the students gives teachers that opportunity to breathe and get excited again. Because they're seeing the kids light up, they're seeing the kids engage with content."
Wenatchee Valley College
"The question always is, ‘Can we demonstrate that the students are meeting course outcomes?’ Check! We can do that.”
San José State University
"We surveyed over 400 students. More than 90% thought Labster was easy to navigate, and that it was fun, but more importantly, most of them felt confident that they could execute the labs in person. And that confidence is a big deal."
FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
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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.
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.
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.
Labster is available for purchase by instructors, faculty, and administrators at education institutions. Purchasing our starter package, Labster Explorer, can be done using a credit card if you are located in the USA, Canada, or Mexico. If you are outside of North America or are choosing a higher plan, please speak with a Labster sales representative. Compare plans.
Labster supports a wide range of STEM courses at the high school, college, and university level across fields in biology, chemistry, physics, and health sciences. You can identify topics for your courses by searching our Content Catalog.