Conference presentation
Get stuck into it – the membrane that is!
Learning & Teaching Week, 2017 (Sippy Downs, Australia, 25-Sep-2017–27-Sep-2017)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2017
Abstract
Ever wondered why your celery goes limp, or why you feel a bit parched on a hot day? Water moves into and out of our cells by the process of osmosis. This involves net movement down a concentration gradient, i.e. from an area of high water content (dilute solution) into an area of low water content (concentrated solution). Understanding osmosis is a key concept in cell, tissue, organ and system function in humans, animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Conceptualising abstract processes in biology which are occurring at the microscopic level are inherently difficult for many students. Mastery of concepts associated with cell membrane structure and function such as osmosis (as well as diffusion, active transport, concentration gradients, and channel function) is difficult to achieve (Odom & Barrow, 1995). Our project uses an action research approach to develop, deploy and evaluate a suite of visualisation resources in first year foundation course for biomedical science, allied health and associated STEM programs. The first of these resources is an immersive 3D visualisation that engages students in the structure and function of the cell membrane. What you will experience in this session (No biology knowledge is required). Imagine you have been miniaturised down to the level of a cell in your body. Using the 320 degree vista and 3D screens of the CAVE2TM facility, we will take you on a journey into a cell to experience the movement of water by osmosis across a membrane. You will have a similar experience as students learning this concept in LFS100 Cell Biology (including a test!). This will be followed by the opportunity to provide feedback on your experience and to discuss future directions in the space of visualisation in STEM.
Details
- Title
- Get stuck into it – the membrane that is!
- Authors
- Ann L Parkinson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringNicole Reinke (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringNicole Masters (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringMary Kynn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringAnna V Kuballa (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringNicole G Ertl (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Conference details
- Learning & Teaching Week, 2017 (Sippy Downs, Australia, 25-Sep-2017–27-Sep-2017)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2017
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2017 The Authors.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; School of Health; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451454502621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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