Attendance is mandatory; there are no make-up laboratories.  Any lab switches during the quarter must be approved in advance by the course instructor.

Pre-lab quizzes will be given at 10 minutes after the hour.  If you are not present, you forfeit your quiz points and will receive a 0.

There is no choice of lab groups.  Groups will be assigned.

1. Laboratory manual for each student.  Note: Used lab manuals are unacceptable.
2. For each lab group:
1. Physiograph paper
2. Dissecting kit of good quality, including -
• 2 pr.scissors (one fine, one heavy)
• 2 hemostats
• 2 pr. toothless forceps (one curved, one straight)
• 1 blunt probe

All Physiograph records must be initialed by laboratory instructor before you leave the lab.

THE RECORD & ANALYSIS
 

1. Follow the exact format given for the title page.
2. Mount each record separately on biological filler paper with rubber cement (e.g., if two records were obtained for part A, then mount each separately).  DO NOT use tape or Elmers glue to mount the records.  Remove ALL EXCESS RUBBER CEMENT.  THE RECORD SHOULD NOT BE STUCK TOGETHER.  Each record should be mounted horizontally so that the record can be evaluated without turning the binder.  Fold the record accordion-style to fit on the page.
3. Either type out a label or use black or blue ink for printing the recording criteria etc. on the record.  DO NOT USE PENCIL FOR ANY RECORD ANALYSIS!!!
4. Place recording criteria in the upper left corner and follow the exact format given in the orientation handout. If a category does not apply, omit it or place NA after it (e.g., frequency - NA).  If there is not enough space in the upper left corner, place the recording criteria below the recorded event.  The format in the following example should be used:
EXAMPLE RECORDING CRITERIA  

Title of the experiment

Transducer: F-2000 Myograph

Paper speed: 5 cm/sec. (Express in cm rather than mm.)

Timer: 1 (If timer does not work, label units of time line)

Stimulus: Electrical or Chemical

Frequency: 2 stimuli/sec.

Duration: 2 msec

Intensity: 10 volts

Calibration: 4 cm = 100g

Special equipment: Rocker Switch

Drug administered: ACh (0.2 mg/ml)

Drug dosage: 0.1 ml

 
5. Place the following label in the upper right corner of the record:

Name
Section; Group #
Date

6. Place the title of the record above the recording criteria.
7. If single stimuli were given, record the frequency as - NA or as single.  If this criterion was changed several times and was recorded just above the time and event line, then, record the frequency as "variable".  Likewise, if the intensity changed and was recorded elsewhere on the record, record intensity as "variable".
8. If special equipment was not used, omit this category from the recording criteria.
9. LABELS
1. Label anything of significance by placing labels parallel to top of the page (i.e., place ALL labels horizontally).
2. Stimuli (electrical or chemical) labels are to be placed just above the time and event line.
3. When applicable, labels for muscle contraction recordings should be placed above the event in the following way: 14.0 g, and should be connected to the event with a straight line (see the example for First Site of Fatigue).
4. Any response labels go above the events labeled (e.g., Maximal Response).
5. Frequency of Stimuli labels go just above the time and event line if applicable.
6. If symbols (e.g., HR = 24/min.) are used in the labels, then a legend must be provided.  The legend must read Heart rate = HR or Heart rate (HR).
7. If labels are typed and glued on, then ALL LABELS MUST BE GLUED WITH RUBBER CEMENT!
8. Remember to label:
• where stimulus was applied
• height of pen deflections in cm; or if calibrated,
• tension in g.
• beats, drops, or contractions per min.
• time for specific events
• pressure readings

NOTE: SEE ATTACHED EXAMPLE!!!
• Be consistent with labels.  If you place a label above a particular event on one record, label it at the same place on subsequent records.
10. Do not use ink on your records until you make sure of what you are doing.  DO NOT correct/mark over mistakes.  There may be times when you will want to use White Out but careful planning will eliminate or reduce the need to do so.  Use White Out (liquid paper) to make corrections.
11. Remove any ends of the record that are not pertinent (i.e., if several trials were run, include just what is pertinent to your part).
12. Use White Out to cover ink smudges (Physiograph pens will occasionally cause nasty ink smudges - these detract from the overall appearance of your record).
13. DO NOT provide explanations on the record except for labels of significance.  All other writing tends to clutter the record and should be omitted.  Explanations are to be given in the discussion.
14.   When giving data, utilize decimals (e.g., Latency = 24.0 sec.).
15. If a straight line is drawn in record analysis, USE A RULER.
16. If pencil was used for original record analysis, be sure ALL MARKS ARE ERASED once the record has been inked.
17. Let it be known from this day on, MYOGRAPHS A, B, AND C WILL NOT BE USED IN ZY 560/561 LABS!!  These SHOULD NOT appear in your recording criteria.
18. If events are very close together, spread the labels out and connect each label to the appropriate event with a straight line.  USE A RULER!!!
19. If the Physiograph record is xeroxed from another person or group, state the source directly on the record.  The student submitting the record must analyze and label the record.  NO ANALYZED RECORDS WILL BE XEROXED OR ACCEPTED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF A TA!!!  ALL RECORDS MUST BE XEROXED PRIOR TO ANALYSIS!!!
20. If an unusual Physiograph record has been approved by the lab instructor, have the instructor initial the record with an explanation as to what is wrong or unusual.
21. ALWAYS NOTE ON THE RECORD WHERE MEASUREMENTS WERE TAKEN (e.g., if heart rate was measured from a 30 sec. period, then show where that period is on the record).
22. Extra hints:
• SUBTHRESHOLD RESPONSES DO NOT EXIST!!!
• SPELLING AND OVERALL NEATNESS DO COUNT!!!

 1. For the graphs, the Y axis must be placed along the left side parallel to the binding of the notebook, and the X axis must be placed at the bottom of the page.

 2. Place graphs and data tables (if applicable) between the record and discussion.  These SHOULD NOT BE placed on the record or in the discussion.

THE DISCUSSION

 1. EXPLAIN the results of your section of the experiment.  Using quantitative data (i.e., numbers, time, etc.) from your Physiograph record, support the results with pertinent physiological information.  YOU MUST cite data from YOUR record in the discussion to support your argument (e.g., force of contraction decreased from 14.0 grams to 12.0 grams....).  NOTE, 4 POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR FINAL LAB REPORT GRADE IF DATA ARE NOT CITED!!!!!!!

 2. Write the discussion in third person and use the past tense (e.g., incorrect - We stimulated the gastrocnemius; correct - The gastrocnemius was stimulated .....).

 3.  DO NOT INCLUDE METHODS AND MATERIALS in the discussion.

 4. To aid in conciseness, abbreviated notations should be used in the discussion (e.g., The blood pressure (BP) decreased after........... Since BP is regulated by..........).  However, DO NOT use contractions!!!  Commonly seen examples include the following: can't, didn't, isn't and wouldn't.  Spell these words out.
 
 5. For the discussion, read the few pages in Guyton that deals with your specific work portion.  YOU are EXPECTED to provide detailed physiological analysis supported by specific references.  If you quote the lecture instructor you should use the format (Fadool, pers. comm.) after the statement, which means personal communication.  If you quote the www you should use the format (URL=http://www.kidneys.R.us.edu).  You MUST cite at LEAST two WRITTEN documents, ONE a text, and ONE a primary journal article.  The later can be easily acquired by looking in the back of the pertinent text chapter for your subject, under the Bibliography Section.

 6. Discussions should be typed or PRINTED neatly in blue or black ink.  Neatness, clarity, grammar, and accuracy are considered in determining the grade.  Messy labels and/or printing, misspelled words, incorrect grammar, or incomplete analysis will lower the grade.  If discussions are typed, they MUST BE DOUBLE SPACED AND NO FONT SMALLER THAN A 10 pt FONT WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!  This handout is typed in Swiss Roman 10 pt; the discussion page in the example lab report is typed in Swiss Roman 12 pt.
 
 7. The discussion is to be limited to ONE PAGE.  Any portion of the discussion that extends over a page WILL NOT BE GRADED OR CONSIDERED!!!

 8. DO NOT MOUNT the discussion so that the left margin is covered by the binding of the notebook!!!

 9. Literature Cited:
 

1. The literature cited section should be on a separate sheet of paper labeled LITERATURE CITED:(in caps, bold underline).  ON the line BELOW this title, list alphabetically only the references you cited in the body of the text and NOT all materials you read to formulate your report.  Single space your entry with double space between the entries.

FOR A JOURNAL ARTICLE:
Fadool, D.A. and B.W. Ache. 1994.  Title of journal article in all lower case after the first word and ending with a period.  Journal Name. Volume: 1-10.

FOR A BOOK:
Ottis, K.,J.F. Pritchett, and L.C. Wit. 1990.  Muscle cell metabolism - this should be the title of the chapter in the book and case sensitivity as above.  IN: Experimental Animal Physiology, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, Dubuque Iowa, pp. 8-15.

 10.  Sign your name at the bottom right of the discussion.

 11. Always capitalize Physiograph.

 12. Use the whole page.  Always.

 13. Place a title on the discussion.

 14. Remember, an experiment is no good if you cannot tell us what you did.  The discussion is used to extrapolate on the record and is not to be a complete restatement.  You need to tell us in a logical, understandable, and concise fashion what the experiment means.  Use the correct details.  Do not explain what you did.  There is not enough room.  We can get that information from the lab manual.  Get to the point!!!  Flowery prose gets you nowhere!!!  You are training to become professionals and must learn to effectively communicate with others in related fields.  The ability to convey information is essential if you are to be successful.

THE NOTEBOOK

1.   Each lab will be divided into four sections, and each member of the lab group will be assigned one section.  If the group has only 3 members, assignment of the fourth section should rotate among group members from week to week.
 

2.   Each person in each group should obtain a looseleaf notebook in which he/she will keep their section of the  lab report.  It would also be wise to keep a photocopy of the other sections of each lab report prepared by your respective laboratory partners and keep them in the notebook as well.    In other words, each student should maintain a laboratory notebook that will contain a complete set of each experiment.  However, only one section of each experiment will be "original"; the other sections will be photocopies prepared by your lab partners.  Ultimately, we will only collect your "original" section, but it is important for you to have a complete set of lab reports.

3.   At 2 occasions during the quarter you will be required to turn in your portion of a particular laboratory for grading.  There will be little forewarning, and you will not know which lab will be collected until the point at which  you have to turn it in.  Simply put, it is in your best interest to keep you notebook up to date.  Grades will be assessed as follows:
 
 

Record and Analysis	4 points
Discussion	8 points
Literature Cited	1 point
Grammar, Style, Clarity and Neatness	2 points*
Total	15 points
* An automatic -1 with a spelling error

 
 

 LABORATORY GRADING
 

Lab Report 1	15 points
Lab Report 2	15 points
Lab Exam	120  points (March 8)
Total	150 points