International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology ISSN 2326-7275 Vol. 14 (7), pp. 001-012, July, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Impact of Instructor-Provided Study Guides on Student Academic Performance in Introductory Anatomy and Physiology

Nicola Khalaf, Jason Craddock, Valerie Weiss, Robert Sillevis and Heather Bradford

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast university

Received 20 June, 2025; Revised 4 July, 2025; Accepted 4 July, 2025; Publish 17 July, 2025

Abstract: Background: Research indicates a strong correlation between success in undergraduate gateway courses and overall student retention. These lower division courses serve as prerequisites to upper-level coursework and are often associated with high failure rates. Anatomy and Physiology-I, a key gateway course for health science majors, exemplifies theses challenges. Methods: This retrospective quasi-experimental study assessed the impact of instructor-provided study guides on student performance in 16 course sections (N = 502) across four semesters at Florida Gulf Coast university. Eight sections used study guides (Study guide group) and eight did not (Control Group). Independent t-tests and the Friedman test compared exam scores, final grades, and pass rates. Results: The Study Guide group had a notably lower failure rate (10.89% compared to 34.70%) and significantly higher exam scores and final grades. Furthermore, no significant instructor variability was found, suggesting that standardized resources may reduce discrepancies in teaching effectiveness. Conclusion: These findings highlight the value of structured learning resources in improving outcomes in complex course. Implementing such resources may promote student success in foundational courses essential for careers in health sciences. Limitations: Quasi-experimental design, lack of randomization, potential confounding variables, and single-institution scope may restrict causal inference and generalizability.

Keywords: Study guides; anatomy and physiology; academic performance; gateway courses; pass rates; student engagement, guided notes; cognitive load.
 

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology ISSN 2326-7275 Vol. 14 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Anatomical Characteristics of Stems and Leaves in Ten Iranian Species of Geranium L.

Fahimeh Salimpour¹*, Ali Mazooji² and Samira Onsori³

1Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Iran.
2Islamic Azad University, Roodehen Branch, Iran.
3Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Iran

Accepted 19 April, 2025

An anatomical study on stem and leaf of ten species of Geranium has been performed in order to distinguish tuberous from rhizomatous species. Cross section of stem, number of palisade parenchyma, presence or absence of crystals and shape of epidermal cells in leaf are important characters to distinguish taxa.

Key words: Anatomy, Taxonomy, Geraniaceae, Iran.

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology ISSN 2326-7275 Vol. 14 (7), pp. 001-009, July, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Epidermal Anatomy of Leaves in Sida L. (Malvaceae): Systematic and Taxonomic Considerations

Nighat Shaheen, Mir Ajab Khan, Ghazalah Yasmin, Mushtaq Ahmad, Tariq Mahmood, Muhammad Qasim Hayat, and Muhammad Zafar*

Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Accepted 22 April, 2025

Micro morphological investigations of the foliar epidermal anatomy, particularly the diversity and distribution of glandular and eglandular trichomes on leaves of Sida alba L., S. alii S. Abedin var. alii, S. cordata (Burm. F.) Brss, S. mysorensis Wight and Arn, S. ovata Forssk. S. spinosa L and S. yunnanensis S.Y.Hu have been carried out to assess the systematic relevance of epidermal features and trichome diversity within the genus Sida L. Configuration of epidermal cells is polygonal to irregular with smooth or undulating outline. Leaves are amphistomatic and amphitrichomic. Six diverse morphological types of glandular and eglandular foliar trichomes are described. Stellate and peltate types of trichomes are characteristically found in all taxa studied. S. alii and S.spinosa are distinct in having long-stalked and short-stalked capitate trichomes. S. mysorensis is characterized by multicellular uniseriate trichomes, but these are not observed in other taxa of genus Sida. The results of foliar epidermal anatomy, especially type, distribution and structure of foliar trichomes are of high systematic value in this genus of family Malvaceae.

Key words: Foliar anatomy, trichomes, capitate glands, malvaceae.

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology ISSN 2326-7275 Vol. 14 (7), pp. 001-010, July, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Anatomical and Morphological Profiling of Salvia tchihatcheffii: A Turkish Endemic Species

Kâmuran Akta1*, Cânan Özdemir1, Mustafa Özkan2 Yurdanur Akyol3 and Pelin Baran1

1Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Art and Science, Department of Biology, Manisa/Turkey.
2Ahi Evran University, Faculty of Art and Science, Department of Biology, Kırsehir/Turkey.
3Ege University, Science Faculty, Department of Biology, Izmir/Turkey.

Accepted 7 March, 2025

In this study, the morphological and anatomical properties of SALVIA TCHIHATCHEFFII (Fisch. & Mey.) Boiss. (Lamiaceae) which is endemic to Turkey was investigated. S. TCHIHATCHEFFII has a perennial taproot. In contrast to the other SALVIA species that was investigated before the plant has two different stem as fertile and sterile stem with round in shape. Sterile stem is prostrate, leafy, fertile stem is procumbent-ascending, unbranched. The stamen type of the plant is A. We observed that in cross-section sterile stem three different cortex layer, with one of them is formed as crescent shape. In addition, the glandular hairs of the investigated species are classified. Other anatomical features are discussed too. The results are presented with photographs, drawings and tables.

Key words: Anatomy, Lamiaceae, morphology, Salvia tchihatcheffii.
 

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology ISSN 2326-7275 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-003, June, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Anatomical Insights into the Roots of Two Solanaceae Species: Solanum macrocarpum and Solanum nigrum

Mbagwu, F. N.1*, Nwachukwu, C. U.2 and Okoro, O. O.1

1Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Biology, Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 4 March, 2025

The anatomical characteristics of the roots of Solanum macrocarpum and Solanum nigrum were investigated to ascertain the relevance of these characters in establishment of interspecific similarities and differences in these two taxa. The results showed that there is concentration of vascular bundles at the central portion of the root cortex hence the endodermis is not well differentiated in both taxa. Again the epidermal cells are big and well differentiated in S. macrocarpum but small and well differentiated in S. nigrum. The epidermal cells range from pentagonal to hexagonal in S. macrocarpum but irregularly shaped in S. nigrum. The cells outside the cortex are thick and big in S. macrocarpum but thin, small and elongated in S. nigrum. Although, the size and number of vascular bundles are small and few in both taxa, the presence of one or two oxalate crystals that characterized S. macrocarpum but absent in S. nigrum is an interesting aspect of the root anatomy. The similarities in structures showed reasons for the two taxa to be in the same genus while the differences in root anatomical structures showed reasons for them to be as different species.

Key words: Anatomical features, roots, S. macrocarpon, S. nigrum, solanaceae, taxa.
 

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology ISSN 2326-7275 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-010, June, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing the Effects of Industrial Effluents on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus): A Morphological and Anatomical Study

P. O. Uaboi-Egbenni¹*, P. N. Okolie², O. E. Adejuyitan³, A. O. Sobande³ and O. Akinyemi⁴

¹University of Venda for Science and Technology, Department of Microbiology, P.B. 5050 Thohoyandou, Limpopo
Province, South Africa.
²Yaba College of Technology, Department of Food Technology, P. M. B. 2011, Yaba Lagos, Nigeria.
³Yaba College of Technology, Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Unit, P. M. B. 2011, Yaba Lagos,
Nigeria.
⁴University of Venda, Department of Statistics, P. B. 5050, Thohoyandou, South Africa.

Accepted 19 February, 2025

The authors investigated the impact of industrial effluents from 5 different industrial concerns in Lagos, Nigeria on Okra (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS). During the study, it was observed that these effluents induced detrimental effects on the flowering, fruiting, stem length, leaf width and leaf length of okra. Other parameters analysed were pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and oil level. Results obtained show that the main drain (MD) had the highest electrical conductivity (1961 µs, pH 10.43), as well as total dissolved solids (TDS, 977 mg/l). Effluent from toiletries had the highest concentration of oil (0.121) and the lowest pH (2.75). All effluents affected the time of flowering and fruiting of okra when compared with the control. The mean number and mean weight of fruits produced were also affected, although the extent varies from effluent to effluent. The effect was more pronounced in toiletries and plastic effluents where the mean values for fruit numbers was 3 and mean weight of 17.4 g. However, the mean weight for paint was higher than toiletries. Cross-sections of the experimental okra plants showed that the effluent affected the anatomical structures of the plant; the effect being more pronounced on okra grown on MD. The anatomy of the control grown okra was not affected. The leaves of okra grown on toiletries effluent had a less mean leaf length than those grown on the rest effluents. The same trend was recorded for the mean leaf width. The stem length of okra grown on paint effluent had the least mean value and hence most affected. The highest value for all parameters studied was recorded for the control. There was a significant difference between the means of length of leaf, stem and leaf width and those of the control, signifying the effects which industrial effluents could have on the growth and productivity of plants.

Key words: Abelmoschus, anatomy, effluent, cross-section, fruiting.