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The Tired Swimmer

A Case Study on the Nervous System

By Allison Russo, Morgan Falk, Philip J. Stephens

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The Tired Swimmer

Annie is on a college swimming scholarship. Recently she has been feeling tired and her times have been getting slower. She has also noticed that her vision is often blurred. Concerned, she goes to see her doctor over the mid-term break and is referred to a neurologist, who finds that Annie is suffering from something more than just fatigue. This interrupted case study takes students through a series of stages that describe Annie's problems and symptoms. Students use their knowledge of nerve and muscle physiology to fit the pieces together and determine what is wrong with Annie. The case was developed for use in a one-semester animal physiology course that is taken by sophomore and junior science majors. It could also be used in an anatomy and physiology course.

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Date Posted

  • To understand nerve and muscle function.
  • To understand the function of chemical synapses.
  • To understand the role of acetylcholine receptors.
  • To determine how the protagonist’s problem can produce a decline in nerve-muscle function.

Nerve function; muscle function; acetylcholine receptor; chemical synapse; mammalian spinal cord; neuromuscular junction; myasthenia gravis

  

Subject Headings

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

TOPICAL AREAS

TYPE/METHODS

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

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Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.

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