Adv Physiol Educ AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
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Advan. Physiol. Edu. 32: 303, 2008; doi:10.1152/advan.90110.2008
1043-4046/08 $8.00
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ADV PHYSIOL EDUC 32:303, 2008
© 2008 American Physiological Society

HOW WE TEACH

Physongogy

Hwee-Ming Cheng

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: H.-M. Cheng, Dept. of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Univ. of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia (e-mail: chenghm{at}ummc.edu.my)


   Introduction
TOP
 Introduction
REFERENCES
 
AT MY MEDICAL SCHOOL of Universiti Malaya, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, in addition to the "fashionable" problem-based learning (PBL) and case-based learning (CBL) modes of learning, I have frequently incorporated surprising moments in my lectures to make learning physiology enjoyable for students.

One of these is the use of carefully worded songs that contain the framework for understanding an aspect of physiology. Several songs composed in our national language, Malay, have always generated enthusiasm among the students (after the lecture, some students ask not for my PowerPoint presentations but for a copy of the song!).

Below, in English, is a song composed over the recent Christmas season (Christmas is celebrated in different ways by the multiracial society in Malaysia).

The Wee pH Song (to the Tune of "We Three Kings")1

Wee...three processes of kidneys are

So blood pH won't stray too far

Bicarb reabsorption

Hydrogen secretion...

Acidic urine ah!

Chorus:

Oh...Oh...What a wonderful kid we have!

We can enjoy our daily bite

Hydrogen excreting

Bicarb regenerating

pH arterial is always right!

Wee...three processes of tubular

Bicarb recovered from proximal

Carbonic anhydrase

Luminal reaction

Hydrogen don't go far

Wee...three processes of nephron are

Hydrogen excreted lah

Bound to phosphate

and ammonium

Urinary buffers they are

Wee...three processes of renal are

Acidosis in diarrh-e-aa

Hyperventilation and

Renal compensation

Acidic urine ah!

Wee...three processes of tubular

Acidosis in pneumo-ni-aa

PCO2 elevation

Renal compensation

20-to-1 ratio not so far

Wee...three processes of kidneys are

Alkalosis up in mountain afar

Carbonic anhydrase

In-hib-i-tion

Acclimatize easy lah!

Explanation of Song Lyrics

It is our experience that when students enjoy their learning (in whatever mode, including in songs) it contributes to helping them resolve certain misconceptions (1).

The song verses here highlight several important concepts in the renal regulation of blood pH:

  1. Blood pH is controlled and normalized by the ability of the kidneys to produce urine of varying acidity.
  2. Most of the daily renal secretion of hydrogen ions is used to recover filtered bicarbonate at the proximal tubule, and the tubular fluid pH here is thus not much reduced.
  3. The role of urinary buffers (phosphate and ammonium) is to enable the kidneys to secrete and excrete hydrogen ions.
  4. The chorus in the song reminds students that most of the daily acidic load comes from the diet after metabolism. While the lungs remove predominant carbonic acid, the kidneys are the only pathways to excrete nonvolatile acids.
  5. The kidney thus functions in three essential processes to control for arterial blood pH: the reabsorption of filtered bicarbonate and regeneration of new bicarbonate as well as excretion of secreted hydrogen ions in combination with urinary buffers.
This physongogy approach has recently also been delightfully illustrated through hip-hop mnemonic music: the song "Phys is Supernatural" previously published in Advances in Physiology Education (2).


   Footnotes
 
1 Copyright hWeeMingCheng. Back

Received for publication February 12, 2008. Accepted for publication October 9, 2008.


   REFERENCES
TOP
 Introduction
 REFERENCES
 

  1. Cheng HM. Misconceptions in Physiology. Prentice Hall, NJ: Pearson Malaysia, 2003.
  2. Knabb M. Rapping to review: a novel strategy to engage students and summarize course material. Adv Physiol Educ 27: 157–159, 2003.[Free Full Text]




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