THE FINKLEMAN PREPARATION - A COMPUTER-SIMULATION FOR TEACHING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF PHARMACOLOGY

An interactive computer-assisted learning program is described, which simulates a number of experiments which can be performed on the isolat ed, innervated duodenum of the rabbit (the Finkleman preparation). Thi s preparation is one of the classical pharmacological preparations use d to demonstrate to undergraduate students the effects of selected dru gs: those acting on adrenoceptors or intestinal smooth muscle, or thos e affecting responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation. The program ru ns on any IBM compatible PC, and makes use of text and high resolution graphics to provide a background to the experiments and to describe t he methodology. A screen display which emulates a chart recorder prese nts simulated results (spontaneous or evoked contractions of the gut), derived from actual data, in response to the selection by students of predetermined experimental protocols from a menu. The program is desi gned to enhance or replace the traditional laboratory-based practical using this preparation, whilst achieving the majority of the same teac hing and learning objectives.