Alternatives Database

Investigation of Gluconeogenesis

A realistic experimental simulation aimed at undergraduate students of biological science and allied subjects, replacing a class that required the use of freshly killed rats to study the effect of starvation on induction of gluconeogenic enzymes. This program reflects as accurately as possible the procedures used in ‘wet’ practicals. Video sequences of an actual experiment are included. The data are taken from past student practicals. Important points are explained with animation of the pathways of gluconeogenesis and self-testing questions. Drag and drop simulates manipulation of kidney tissue sections on-screen while washing, weighing and incubating them. Measurements are made of glucose synthesis from different substrates in slices from fed and starved rats. Numerical results of the experiment differ with each run-through so that results copied from one will not score in another.

Year of production: 1998 Medium: CD-ROM System requirements: Windows only (all versions); 16 MB RAM , 64k colour display Price: £49.50 + VAT (Blackwell Science Ltd); £58.00 (Scottish Knowledge plc); for departmental licence please contact CLIVE. Free site licence available to Associate Members of CLIVE consortium