Observation of Color Changes and Melanophore Movement in Silver Curcian Carp : Its application to science education as teaching meterials

Abstract

Melanophore movement in teleost fish scales is a typical phenomenon in cell mobility and many reports concerning this mechanism have been compiled. In this paper an application of this physiological phenomenon to science education was studied. On natural science in junior and senior high schools, fish color changes are useful for an instructive observation as an example of the corporal responce against changes of enviroment or some external stimulus. In junior high school science, the movement of fish scale melanophores can be utilized for teaching material as an example of living animal cells. In senior high school biology, the melanophore movement can be utilized for a simple model or an experimental material demonstrating some functions of nervous systems and hormones. Further, the isolated scale from the teleost fish may be utilized as an experimental material for a model of nerve-effector in a training course of science teachers.