A new app from NUBeef takes the user inside the carcasses of beef cattle.
NUBeef-Anatomy allows users to navigate through the anatomy of beef cattle and learn more about bones and muscles found in the carcass. The app functions as a digital beef anatomy textbook, said Steven Jones, professor of animal science at UNL, who developed the media with EdMedia's instructional multimedia designer Vishal Singh.
"It is helpful for students to understand where each muscle is located in the beef carcass, its composition and eating quality," Jones said.
The information offered in the app could be used by animal science and veterinary students, 4-H and FFA members, meat processors, chefs, consumers and others.
As a user views each cross-section, they can view a picture of a selected muscle and learn about the anatomical and physical features of each muscle.
Anatomical information for each muscle includes action, origin, insertion, blood supply and innervation. Meat related information about the muscle includes composition and the eating qualities of tenderness, aroma, flavor and juiciness.
"This makes the app relevant to chefs and consumers as they determine proper methods of preparation," Jones said.
The NUBeef-Anatomy app is available in the Apple iTunes app store for iPhone and iPad for $4.99. For more information, visit the store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nubeef-anatomy/id597656234?mt=8 or the IANR website at http://ianrhome.unl.edu/mobileapps/beefanatomy.