This highly interactive program simulates a range of experiments to demonstrate the effects of a variety of pharmacological agents/procedures on blood pressure and heart rate of the anaesthetized rat (in vivo). It is aimed at undergraduates studying pharmacology modules on a range of medical and science courses. Each section combines text, high quality colour graphics, and animation with interactive questions designed to reinforce learning.

The main menu allows students to access sections covering different aspects of the laboratory class;

Introduction: Home Office Licence requirements,
Preparation: anaesthesia/anaesthetization, cannulation of trachea, jugular vein and carotid artery,
Apparatus: equipment used to maintain body temperature, record blood pressure and heart rate,
Measurements: describes how to take measurements from the simulated chart recorder and how to calculate mean BP and pulse pressure,

Experiments: provides typical data for 16 different experiments selected to teach the essential pharmacology: catecholamines; pressor agents; acetylcholine; ganglion stimulants; uptake1-blockers; alpha-blockers; beta-blockers; adrenaline reversal; guanethidine; sympathetic nerve stimulation; depressor drugs; ganglion blockade; quantitative effects of alpha-blockade; quantitative effects of beta-blockade; reserpine; pithing

Students are expected to record and tabulate data from the screen display and to then complete student assignments e.g. a series of MCQ questions, with feedback, to assess accuracy of data collection and data interpretation; a student task (typical of a traditional lab-class report) to be completed in their own time. In addition there is a section containing a selection of MCQ's with feedback covering cardiovascular pharmacology which students can use for revision.

System Requirements: Windows: Intel Pentium II 450MHz or faster processor (or equivalent), 128MB of RAM; Microsoft Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 Macintosh: PowerPC G3 500MHz or faster processor, 128MB of RAM; Mac OS X v.10.1.x, 10.2.x, 10.3.x, or 10.4.x

Recommended browser software: Windows: Internet Explorer; Macintosh: Safari or Firefox; Both: Adobe Flash Player plug-in, version 8 or higher.

Screenshots