Bridging Physics and Biology Using Resistance and Axons

• Autores: Joshua M. Dyer
• Localización: The Physics Teacher, ISSN 0031-921X, Vol. 52, Nº. 8, 2014, pág. 466
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • When teaching physics, it is often difficult to get biology-oriented students to see the relevance of physics. 1 A complaint often heard is that biology students are required to take physics for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as part of a “weeding out” process, but that they don't feel like they need physics for biology. Despite this impression held by students, there have been calls for better physics education for future physicians and life scientists.2,3 Research is being performed to improve physics classes and labs by linking topics in biology and physics. 4,5 Described here is a laboratory experiment covering the topics of resistance of materials and circuits/Kirchhoff's laws in a biology context with their direct application to neurons, axons, and electrical impulse transmission within animals. This experiment will also demonstrate the mechanism believed to cause multiple sclerosis. The apparatus was designed with low-cost and readily available materials in mind.