A Rigorous Investigation

The Relationships Between Cellular Respiration, Muscle Contraction, and Rigor Mortis

By Claudia Bode, Allison Jablonski

Abstract

In this directed case study, students investigate the cause of death in an incident that occurs late at night in a research lab. The overall goal of the case is to make the abstract concepts involved in cellular respiration more accessible to students. Developed for an introductory biology class, the case could easily be adapted for a more advanced biochemistry class.

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Date Posted

07/03/2003

Overview

Objectives

Review the basic steps of ATP production (i.e., cellular respiration and fermentation).
Identify the molecular steps involved in muscle contraction.
State the importance of ATP generation to muscle contraction.
Understand the relationship between rigor mortis and muscle contraction.

Keywords

Rigor mortis; adenosine triphosphate; ATP; muscle contraction; cellular respiration

Subject Headings

Biochemistry

Biology (General)

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Directed