Jul 15 2010
Dissecting a frog for Biology class? Yup, there’s an app for that.
Available for the Apple iPad for US$4.99, Frog Dissection features a chloroformed virtual specimen, with clear instructions guiding you through the process of slicing him up. Dissection tools include pins, marker, scissors, scalpel, and forceps but, since it’s on the iPad, they are all controlled by multi-touch. Once you’ve gutted your frog, you’ll be able to view the individual organs which have been rendered for you using 3D imagery. All this without having to touch a slimy dead from or deal with those nasty chemicals.
Frog Dissection has received awards from advocacy groups like PETA for creating an effective replacement for real animal dissections. An updated version is expected soon which will have additional systems and interactive quizzes.
I’m beginning to think there really is no corner of human experience that there is not an app for… and if there is, there will be an app for that too very soon.
What’s the weirdest iPhone or iPad app you’ve found? Leave a comment and tell me about it. If I write about it, I will be sure to give you credit for its discovery.
Jul 15, 2010 @ 22:07:43
Hi Rick,
Thanks for featuring our app on your site. Yeah, we hope apps such as these can do away with dissections. Although I didn’t have to go through a dissection in high school ( I opted out of Biology), I can imagine how I must have gagged at the thought of gutting a poor frog. Technology is amazing and yes, you can do almost (well, almost) anything with it. We’ll be releasing our updated version soon, so be sure to check it out.
Jul 15, 2010 @ 22:26:12
Hey Thara,
Thanks for the comment. The app looks great.
I opted out of Bio too. The things in jars on the shelves in that room just creeped me out. I think enough frogs have been cut up that we have a pretty good idea what they look like inside. I think a simulation can take things from here.
On the other hand, frogs are amazing indicators of what is going on in our waters. I’m not going to put myself out here as an expert on the subject, but I feel as though scientific testing on those jumpers helps us monitor and understand any damage that has been done in specific habitats and they give their lives so that hopefully we can reverse those effects.
Agree? Disagree?
Nikkitaasha (Nicola)
Jul 21, 2010 @ 08:38:17
Dissecting a frog for Biology class? Yup, there’s an app for that. – http://macmerc.com/?p=10237
Nov 29, 2011 @ 20:08:10
Thanks a lot.