Pearson Interactive Labs

Coming soon! In this virtual lab, students measure the effect of solute size, solute concentration gradient, and solution temperature on the rate of diffusion across a semipermeable membrane. They will also analyze how particle size and lipid solubility determine whether solutes are nonpenetrating or penetrating, with a specific focus on their relevance to the plasma membrane. Finally, students will interpret experimental results to infer the relative sizes of solutes, gaining a deeper understanding of key diffusion principles and their physiological implications.

Coming soon! In this virtual lab, students explore the effect of nonpenetrating and penetrating solutes on the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane. They will manipulate key variables, including nonpenetrating versus penetrating solutes, nonpenetrating solute concentration, and molecular weight of the nonpenetrating solute to see the effect these variables have on osmotic pressure. Through this simulation, students gain a deeper understanding of osmotic principles and their physiological significance.

Coming soon! In this virtual lab, students explore the dynamics of skeletal muscle contraction using a frog’s gastrocnemius muscle. They will isolate the muscle and connect it to a stimulus generator and transducer to facilitate understanding of the experimental set up. Three variables are considered using a progression of experiments that assist sequential learning: 1) The effect of stimulus intensity on force generation, 2) The effect of muscle length on force generation, and 3) The effect of stimulus frequency on force generation. Resulting myograms are interpreted and pertinent data points are recorded by the student within the simulation steps in order to proceed in the activity, building a sequential and comprehensive understanding of skeletal muscle contraction.

Coming soon! In this virtual lab, students explore the axon’s membrane potential using a simulated live longfin inshore squid. They will dissect the squid to extract a giant neuron and attempt to initiate an action potential. Recording and reference electrodes are placed by the student to facilitate understanding of the voltmeter measurements. Chemical reagents are used to induce EPSPs (subthreshold and threshold) and IPSPs, resulting in membrane potential changes at the axon initial segment. A summation event is also examined. Students will use the resulting voltage readings to predict the state of voltage-gated sodium channels (open or closed) and determine whether an action potential was successfully initiated. This lab offers an engaging and interactive way to explore the physiological mechanisms of action potential initiation.

Coming soon! In this virtual lab, students measure and calculate respiratory volumes and capacities and explore factors that affect pulmonary ventilation. They will relate the mechanics of breathing to the air pressure–volume relationship and describe the different types of breathing (quiet breathing and forced respiratory events).

Coming soon! In this virtual lab, students analyze urine samples, measure specific gravity, and test for abnormal constituents. They will make distinctions between the typical chemical components of the filtrate and urine. Students will then relate urine collection procedures to the detection of infections in the urinary tract, describe how the composition of urine relates to a specific gravity, and interpret the characteristics of urine to make clinical connections.

Coming soon! In this virtual lab, students explore the chemical digestion of all three macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. They consider substrate specificity of digestive enzymes, conditions that impact enzyme activity, and resulting products of enzymatic reactions.  Students will set up two carbohydrate digestion experiments that examine substrate specificity and the effect of temperature on enzymatic activity. Two experiments on protein digestion by Pepsin are then completed, with special consideration given to the effect of pH on enzymatic activity. Students also set up and perform a fat digestion experiment using lipase with and without bile salts to observe the effect of emulsification on enzymatic activity. 

Coming soon! In this virtual lab, students measure blood pressure using a sphygmomanometry and heart rate by taking a pulse. Students will learn the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures, distinguish pulse pressure from pulse rate, define and calculate mean arterial pressure, and relate mean arterial pressure to blood flow. Additionally, students will predict how pulse varies with the anatomical location at which it is measured, how exercise affects blood pressure/pulse, and how nicotine affects blood pressure/pulse. 

Coming soon! In this virtual lab, students explore the fundamental principles of electrocardiography by analyzing the electrical activity of the heart. Through interactive simulations, students will observe how heart rate, rhythm, and electrical conduction pathways are recorded and interpreted. The lab provides opportunities for students to measure intervals, calculate heart rates, and evaluate normal versus abnormal ECG patterns, fostering a deeper understanding of cardiovascular physiology and clinical relevance.