If Only These Bones Could Talk

By Ashley E. Rhodes

Abstract

This case study begins with a forensic investigation about animal bones. As the case unfolds, more and more is revealed about the bones and students are invited to hypothesize how the information discovered within the bone tissue provides clues about the animal’s life before it died. The case is structured as an interrupted case with discussion points and guided activities. It would be most appropriate for use in an animal physiology course after students have studied the skeletal system including the tissues and cells of the bone marrow. (Note: The case is provided in Microsoft Word format because some of the activities involve the manipulation of images included in the file.)

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Date Posted

07/18/2022

Overview

Objectives

Explain how bone tissue changes with age, disease states, and nutritional planes.
Differentiate between healthy bone marrow in an adult and bone marrow indicative of disease or starvation.
Understand the cellular constructs of spongy bone and the relationship between calcium homeostasis and spongy bone composition.
Describe the basic composition of bone marrow including which stem cell families are present and the value of stem cell products for overall health.
Hypothesize how soft tissue in bones provides evidence about how an animal lived and predict if the animal died of something that could have larger implications for others of its species.

Keywords

Skeletal system; bone marrow; stem cells; deer; malnutrition; starvation; osteoblast; osteocyte; osteoclast; skeletal tissue; spongy bone;

Subject Headings

Anatomy

Biology (General)

Cell Biology

Natural Resource Management

Paleontology

Physiology

Veterinary Science

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

DOCX, PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Directed, Discussion, Interrupted

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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