The purpose of this lab simulation is to demonstrate a quantal dose response relationship. You will be injecting eight groups of five mice with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 mg/kg of curare and testing each mouse on the inclined plane for paralysis and death.
- Adjust the dosage by dragging the syringe plunger up and down.
- Drag a mouse from the cage and drop it under the syringe.
- Inject the mouse while taking note of the dose.
- Place the mouse at the bottom of the inclined plane and start the timer.
If the mouse falls before the timer (simulated 20 minutes) has elapsed, the dose was effective in paralyzing the mouse. On the other hand, any mouse that stays on the plane longer than 20 minutes will be recorded as not having been paralyzed. Some mice will have died within 20 minutes. - Record the number of mice that were a.) paralyzed and b.) both paralyzed and died within the 20 minute period. You may test five mice at a time but be careful to note when a mouse has fallen. Mice that become paralyzed and/or die after 20 minutes are recorded as no effect.
- Place any mice that need to recover into the recovery cage, and mice that have died into the morgue.
