Exploring Animal Photoreceptors and Eyes: Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2011

Publication Source

Proceedings of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education

Volume Number

32

First Page

211

Last Page

224

Publisher

Association for Biology Laboratory Education

Abstract

In this exercise, students examine an array of invertebrates and vertebrates to explore structure-function relationships among animals, using photoreception and vision as a context. This exercise was developed to accompany aPhysics-based lab (Barney et al. 2009), in which students model the physical relationships of different structural “eye” types. Building on the biodiversity component, students examine simple eyespots (Dugesia); a variety of eyes that use “pinholes” to channel light rays; and the eyes of scallops (Pecten) which include reflective “mirror” surfaces. Students also study microscope slides to examine structure-function relationships in insect compound eyes and to compare the retinas of various vertebrates. Additionally, they dissect a representative mammalian eye (Bos). In an optional investigation, students collect data from humans to test a working hypothesis about the relationship between age and accommodation.

Keywords

Zoology, Vision, Structure-function relationships, Retina, Photoreceptors, Eyes, Dissection, Animal Anatomy and Physiology

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