College students are frequently introduced to basic histology, zoology and developmental anatomy during their freshman and sophomore years. Traditionally, this is accomplished by the study of prepared microscope slides. The approach does not teach students how slides are made and students frequently become disinterested and bored because they are viewing prepared biological materials. Modern Biology Inc. now offers three miniprograms that were designed to circumvent these limitations. The starting point for the programs are precut tissue sections which are ready for staining. Thus, expensive slide–making equipment is not required. During the first 2-3 hour laboratory session, students process the sections through stains (hematoxylin and eosin) and prepare permanent slides of the tissues. A nontoxic and biodegradable histological clearing agent is used in the procedure which eliminates hazards associated with the use of xylene or toluene-based clearing agents. During the second and third laboratory sessions, students follow the well-illustrated laboratory guides to receive a fine introduction to histology, zoology or developmental anatomy. Each of these programs is an independent teaching unit and is designed for a class of 16 students working in pairs. Sufficient materials are provided so that 8 groups can make 2 slides each. Microscopes and forceps are needed but not provided. Although the programs were designed to integrate three 2-3 hour laboratory sessions in classical biology into freshman or sophomore–college level biology classes, they can also can be used to supplement more advanced courses in histology, developmental biology and zoology.

IND-18. An Introduction to Zoology

Molecular and cell biology can be understood and appreciated only in the light of their relations to the whole organism. However, in recent years it has become fashionable to reduce or to eliminate altogether laboratory time allotted for organismic biology. In this program, students prepare and then study cross sections of planaria, earthworm, lamprey (larvae), and tadpole. The laboratory guides emphasize hierarchies of animal complexity and the similarities and differences between the invertebrates and vertebrates.

1. Planarian Slides (4)

2. Earthworm Slides (4)

3. Lamprey (larvae) Slides (4)

4. Tadpole Slides(4)

5. Hematoxylin

6. Eosin Y

7. Isopropanol (2)

8. Clearing Agent (2)

9. Mounting Medium

10. Coverslips

11. Slide Staining Dishes (9)

12. Transfer Pipets (20)
13. Glass Rods (8)

IND-19. An Introduction to Vertebrate Histology

Students prepare and then study sections of trachea and esophagus in order to identify and characterize the major tissue types ( epithelia, connective tissue and muscle). They then study selected organs including ovary, testis, intestine, spinal cord and skin

1. Esophagus /Trachea Slides (8)

2. Ovary Slides (2)

3. Testis Slides (2)

4. Duodenum Slides (2)

5. Spinal Cord (2)

6. Skin (2)

7. Hematoxylin

8. Eosin Y

9. Isopropanol (2)

10. Clearing Agent (2)

11. Mounting Medium

12. Coverslips

13. Slide Staining Dishes (9)

14. Transfer Pipets (20)
15. Glass Rods (8)

IND 20. An Introduction to Developmental Anatomy