Jan Evangelista Purkyn

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  Jan Evangelista Purkyn_

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  Red geranium under different lighting conditions

Jan Evangelista Purkyn_

Jan Evangelista Purkyn_ (also written as Purkinje) was a renowned Czech anatomist and physiologist, born on December 17, 1787, in Libochovice, Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of physiology and anatomy, and for his contributions to the understanding of the human body and its functions.

Early Life and Education

Purkyn_ was born into a modest family and showed an early interest in the natural sciences. He attended the Piarist Gymnasium in Mikulov and later studied at the University of Prague, where he initially pursued philosophy and theology. However, his interest soon shifted to medicine, and he graduated with a degree in medicine in 1819.

Academic Career

After completing his studies, Purkyn_ began his academic career as a professor of physiology at the University of Breslau (now Wroc_aw, Poland) in 1823. During his tenure, he conducted extensive research and made significant contributions to the field of physiology.

Contributions to Science

Purkyn_ is credited with several important discoveries and concepts in physiology and anatomy:

• Purkinje Cells: He was the first to describe the large neurons in the cerebellum known as Purkinje cells, which play a crucial role in motor control.

• Purkinje Fibers: He discovered the specialized cardiac muscle fibers, now known as Purkinje fibers, which are essential for the conduction of electrical impulses in the heart.

• Microscopy: Purkyn_ was a pioneer in the use of the microscope for biological research. He was one of the first to use the microtome to prepare thin slices of tissue for microscopic examination.

• Visual Phenomena: He studied various visual phenomena, including the Purkinje effect, which describes the shift in brightness perception under different lighting conditions.

• Cell Theory: Purkyn_ was an early proponent of the cell theory, emphasizing the importance of cells as the fundamental units of life.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1850, Purkyn_ returned to Prague, where he continued his research and teaching at the University of Prague. He remained active in the scientific community until his death on July 28, 1869.

Purkyn_'s work laid the foundation for many areas of modern physiology and anatomy. His discoveries have had a lasting impact on the medical and scientific fields, and he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of medicine.

Related Pages

• Physiology
• Anatomy
• Cerebellum
• Microscope
• Cell theory