Advances in Physiology Education, Vol 260, Issue 6 22-S24, Copyright © 1991 by American Physiological Society
Use of invertebrate animals to teach physiological principles
I. Deyrup-Olsen and T. M. Linder
Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Experiments with invertebrate animals offer valuable opportunities in the
teaching of physiology. In some cases, exercises that use these animals may
demonstrate physiological principles more clearly than experiments that use
vertebrates. Other experiments are easy to perform because of the latitude
of conditions in which the tissues of many invertebrates function.
Experiments with invertebrates can also illustrate a far wider range of
physiological mechanisms than occurs in vertebrates and are especially
suited for opportunities for independent original investigation by the
students. Since at this time invertebrates are underutilized in teaching,
much can be gained by the design, testing, and dissemination of innovative
experimental protocols for student use.
