BB511: Zoophysiology

Entry requirements

None

Academic preconditions

Students who attend the course are expected to know the curriculum of the first year of biology studies (BB537).

Course introduction

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the course BB537. The aim of the course is to give a general introduction to basic physiological concepts and mechanisms in animals, mainly vertebrates - including man. The course covers physiological mechanisms at levels ranging from the cell to whole organisms, in relation to animals evolutionary status and physiological adaptations necessary for animals to function under different environmental conditions. Key excerpts of the science history and theory of the discipline of zoophysiology will be exemplified during the course.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

Give the competence to engage in collaboration and structure their own learning
Provide
skills to conduct experimental studies, to critically evaluate
biological theories and formulate, evaluate and solve biological
problems.
Provide knowledge and reflective understanding of the
scientific theory of biology, of the experimental methods and safety of
these, and of current research topics and on their use in the discussion
of biological problems.

Expected learning outcome

Demonstrate the ability to:

Demonstrate a semi-quantitative understanding of basic physiological mechanisms;
Identify important experiments that have unravelled key physiological mechanisms;
Explain
the concept of homeostasis, i.e. how tissues and organs interact and by
feedback mechanisms regulate the animal's adaptation to changing
conditions;
Describe and explain basic zoophysiological mechanisms in vertebrates.
Describe the structure and explain the function of substance transport across cell membranes.
Identify key ions and membrane elements.
Explain
how electrical potential difference occurs over nerve and muscle
membranes and how action potentials arise and propagate.
Describe the structure and explain the function of synapses and the motor endplate.
Describe the most important sensory modalities and explain how sensory input is encoded in the nervous system.
Describe the structure of muscles and account for muscle function.
Describe the most important endocrine tissues and hormones and explain how they contribute to the organism's homeostasis.
Explain how interaction between the endocrine system and the nervous system maintain homeostasis.
Describe
the cardiovascular system functional structure in different vertebrate
groups and the correlation between physical activity and cardio-vascular
system regulation.
Explain the blood affect the transport of nutrients, gases, wastes, and hormones and the regulation of body temperature.
Describe
the functional anatomy of the respiratory system in the major
vertebrate groups, and account for its regulation at rest and during
activity, its impact on the body's acid - base balance, as well as the
interaction between the respiratory and circulatory system.
Describe
the osmoregulatory and acid - base regulatory principles and mechanisms
in aquatic and terrestrial animal groups, including focus on kidney
function and regulation in mammals.
Discuss and explain how
physiological mechanisms are integrated and enable animals able to live
and acclimate to changing environmental conditions.
Perform and report qualitative and quantitative zoophysiological experiments

Content

The course includes the following academic areas:

Cell membranes and the role of proteins in cell membrane transport.
Structure and function of the nervous system.
Sense organs. Transduction and coding of stimuli in different types of general and special sense organs.
Muscles, with emphasis on skeletal muscle. Microscopic and macroscopic structure. Contraction of muscle fibers and biomechanics.
Glands
and hormones, the anatomy and physiological role of the endocrine
system in regulating cellular functions, metabolism and growth;
structure and function of the male and female reproductive system in
vertebrates.
Behaviour: the interaction between the sensory
organs and target organs (muscles and glands) which leads to adaptation
of the animal's behavior to the present conditions.
The anatomy
of the cardiovascular system of the major vertebrate groups. The
relationship between physical activity and regulation of the
cardiovascular system. The role of blood in transporting of nutrients,
gases, wastes, and hormones and the regulation of body temperature
The
anatomy of the respiratory system of the major vertebrate groups, its
regulation at rest and during activity, its impact on the body's
acid-base balance, as well as the interaction between respiration and
circulation.
Osmoregulatory and acid-base regulatory principles
and strategies of the major vertebrate groups, including focus on kidney
function.
Key excerpts of the science history of zoophysiology.
General
concepts of electrophysiology, muscle, nerve, heart and respiratory
function will be illustrated through laboratory exercises.

Literature

See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

Examination regulations

Prerequisites for participating in the exam element a)

Timing

Spring

Tests

Participation in laboratory exercises

EKA

N100040112

Assessment

Second examiner: None

Grading

Pass/Fail

Identification

Student Identification Card - Name

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

To be announced during the course

ECTS value

Additional information

The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a)

Exam element a)

Timing

Spring

Prerequisites

Type	Prerequisite name	Prerequisite course
Examination part	Prerequisites for participating in the exam element a)	N100040101, BB511: Zoophysiology

Tests

Submission of reports 4 and 2 written essays

EKA

N100040122

Assessment

Second examiner: None

Grading

Pass/Fail

Identification

Full name and SDU username

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

Aids allowed, a closer description of the exam rules will be posted under 'Course Information' on Blackboard.

ECTS value

Additional information

The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.

Exam element b)

Timing

June

Tests

Written exam

EKA

N100040102

Assessment

Second examiner: External

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Student Identification Card - Name

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Duration

4 hours

Examination aids

Allowed, a closer description of the exam rules will be posted in itslearning.

ECTS value

Additional information

The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.

Indicative number of lessons

96 hours per semester

Teaching Method

At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.

The students are introduced to the academic curriculum through interactive lectures. Subsequently the students will be trained through classroom tutorials, where they are increasingly expected to participate actively by oral presentations. As a complement to these two types of instruction, selected physiological topics and principles are illustrated through 4 laboratory exercises. The students' writing skills are tested through reporting of laboratory exercises (in groups ), which will receive feedback. To further enhance the students' writing skills 2 individual written essay assignments have to be handed in.

Activities during the study phase:
In the study phase, students are expected to work with self-study of the textbook and examples and exercises herein and in the attached online material. In addition, both written assignments and lab reports are key elements of the study phase, and students can expect feedback from a teacher on both. The students are also expected to use part of the study phase to pick up on training phase tasks as well as a reserve a small part for preparation of the written exam.

Teacher responsible

Name	E-mail	Department
Steffen Madsen	steffen@biology.sdu.dk	Biologisk Institut

Additional teachers

Name	E-mail	Department	City
Coen Elemans	coen@biology.sdu.dk	Biologisk Institut
Signe Brinkløv	brinklov@biology.sdu.dk	Biologisk Institut

Timetable

Odense

Show full time table

Administrative Unit

Biologisk Institut

Team at Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

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