Metabolic Interrelationships, an Interactive learning Tool for Biochemistry Education
Mathijs Doets and Emely J. Spierenburg
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT:
In the tissues of the human body, several different metabolic processes take place. These processes depend on each other and on the nutritional and hormonal status of the body at a given time. Understanding the interdependence of these processes is an essential, but difficult subject for medical students.
Teachers at the Biochemistry department of the medical faculty of the Erasmus University Rotterdam found that students had great difficulties to see the full picture of metabolic interrelationships. They decided to develop an interactive computer program that would bring the static pictures and diagrams of the textbooks to life. The basis of the program is a schematic overview of the major tissues (liver, pancreas, brain, kidney, muscle, blood, adipose) with the various nutrients flowing between them. The student is allowed to change the point of time after a meal (and consequently the amount of nutrients released from the gut into the bloodstream) and observe the changes that take place in the processes. It is possible to zoom in on several tissues and view short animations and more detailed diagrams.
The program was developed in Macromedia Director and it was implemented in the medical curriculum in January 2001. The program was made available through the Internet and students' reactions were very positive. At the moment the development of the program continues and more interactivity (self-test questions) and clinical cases will be implemented in the future.
BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:
'Metabolic Interrelationships' is a Biochemistry program with interactive animations. A schematic overview of the major tissues in the human body is presented and the flow of various nutrients between these tissues can be observed and modified by varying the point of time after a meal. It is possible to zoom in on several tissues and processes and view explanatory animations or more detailed diagrams.
Mathijs Doets
Institute of Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Erasmus University Rotterdam
PO Box 1738
3000 DR
Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 010 4087834
Fax: +31 010 4087839
Email: doets@oig.fgg.eur.nl
Website:http://www.eur.nl/fgg
CO-AUTHORS:
Prof. dr. J.F. Koster
Dr. A.J.M. Verhoeven
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Erasmus University Rotterdam
PO Box 1738
3000 DR
Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Email: verhoeven@bc1.fgg.eur.nl
koster@bc1.fgg.eur.nl