Author
Jennifer Doherty, PhD
Michigan State University
Flow down gradients—one of the core concepts of physiology initiate, regulate and maintain nearly all physiological functions. Given the vast number of flow down gradients within physiology, providing students a framework to understand and identify this important core concept is critical for their learning of physiology. In this learning module, educators will access tools that will help their students apply their knowledge of flow down gradients across physiological systems. At the completion of this interactive learning module, participants should be able to:
- define the terms flow, gradient and resistance within the context of physiology;
- describe the relationship between flow, gradient and resistance;
- provide physiological examples of different types of flow down gradients;
- identify teaching strategies that facilitate the transfer of knowledge; and
- use the flow down gradients reasoning tool to explain physiological phenomena.
Resources to Explore
Teach within the Context of Flow Down Gradients
Examine resources that explain how and why educators teach and learn about through the lens of flow down gradients.
Oaks to Arteries: The Physiology Core Concept of Flow Down Gradients Supports Transfer of Student Reasoning
Doherty
J.H., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2023
What a Difference in Pressure Makes! A Framework Describing Undergraduate Students’ Reasoning about Bulk Flow Down Pressure Gradients
Doherty
J.H., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2023
Use of Core Concepts of Physiology Can Facilitate Student Transfer of Learning
Michael J.A.,
Advances in Physiology Education, 2022
Core Concepts of Physiology Learning Module
Michael J.A., McFarland
J.L., American Physiological Society, 2022
Physiology Core Concepts Collection
Advances in Physiology Education,
2023
The Definitions and Explanations of the 14 Core Concepts of Physiology
Adapted
from Michael J.A., McFarland J.L., Advances in Physiology Education, 2020
Collected Conceptual Frameworks
Michael J.A., 2022
The Core Principles (“big ideas”) of Physiology: Results of Faculty Surveys
Michael
J.A., McFarland J.L., Advances in Physiology Education, 2011
Unpacking the “Movement of Substances” Core Concept of Physiology by an Australian Team
Brown
D., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2023
Helping Undergraduates Repair Faulty Mental Models in the Student Laboratory
Modell H.I.,
et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2000
Phys-MAPS: A Programmatic Physiology Assessment for Introductory and Advanced Undergraduates
Semsar K., et al.,
Advances in Physiology Education, 2018
Using Test Question Templates to Teach Physiology Core Concepts
Crowther G.J. and Knight T.A., Advances in Physiology Education,
2023
Using Framing as a Lens to Understand Context Effects on Expert Reasoning
Slominski T., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education,
2020
The Impact of Context on Students’ Framing and Reasoning about Fluid Dynamics
Slominski T., et al.,
CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2023
Foundations in Physiology: An Introductory Course Using the Core Concepts
Ball K.L., Advances in Physiology Education,
2023
Teaching with Core Concepts to Facilitate the Integrated Learning of Introductory Organismal Biology
Cliff W.H.,
Advances in Physiology Education, 2023
Explore Physiological Examples of Flow Down Gradients
Investigate resources that use specific physiological examples of flow down gradients and related teaching activities.
How Bar-Headed Geese Fly Over the Himalayas
Scott G.R., et al., Physiology, 2015
Control of Breathing and Adaptation to High Altitude in the Bar-headed Goose
Scott G.R., Milson W.K., AJP-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2007
Control of Respiration in Flight Muscle from the High-altitude Bar-headed Goose and Low-altitude Birds
Scott G.R., et al., AJP-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2009
Adaptation of Lung, Chest Wall, and Respiratory Muscles During Pregnancy: Preparing for Birth
LoMauro A., et al., Journal of Applied Physiology, 2019
Decreases in Maximal Oxygen Uptake Following Long-duration Spaceflight: Role of Convective and Diffusive O2 Transport Mechanisms
Ade C.J., et al., Journal of Applied Physiology, 2017
Regulation of Cerebral Blood Flow in Humans: Physiology and Clinical Implications of Autoregulation
Claassen J.A.H.R., et al., Physiological Reviews, 2021
Constructing the Wiggers Diagram Using Core Concepts: A Classroom Activity
Silverthorn D.U., Advances in Physiology Education, 2022
Use of an iPad App to Simulate Pressure-volume Loops and Cardiovascular Physiology
Leisman S. and Burkhoff D., Advances in Physiology Education, 2017
Cardiac Cycle Model
Sheffield S., Human Bio Media, 2023
Conceptualizing Physiology of Arterial Blood Pressure Regulation through the Logic Model
Waghmare L.S. and Srivastava T.K., Advances in Physiology Education, 2016
A New Assessment to Monitor Student Performance in Introductory Neurophysiology: Electrochemical Gradients Assessment Device
Cerchiara J.A., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2019
What is the Ultimate Goal in Acid-base Regulation?
Balakrishnan S., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2007
Isosmotic is Not Always Isotonic: The Five-minute Version
Silverthorn D.U., Advances in Physiology Education, 2016
Osmosis and Diffusion Conceptual Assessment
Fisher K.M., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017
A Hands-on Activity to Teach Osmosis Phenomenon
Rodríguez-Dueñas W.R., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2022
Learning (By) Osmosis: An Approach to Teaching Osmolarity and Tonicity
Vujovic, P., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2018
Understanding Diffusion Theory and Fick's Law Through Food and Cooking
Zhou, L., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2015
A Student Practical to Conceptualize the Importance of Poiseuille’s law and Flow Control in the Cardiovascular System
Holmes, A.P., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2020
Undergraduates’ Understanding of Cardiovascular Phenomena
Michael J.A., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2002
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