BB511: Zoophysiology
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher
EKA: N100040112, N100040122, N100040102
Assessment: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: External
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N100040101
ECTS value: 10
Date of Approval: 04-10-2022
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Students who attend the course are expected to know the curriculum of the first three semesters of biology studies: BB537, BMB530, KE535, FY528, BB539.
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, relating them 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 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;
- 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 a 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 functional structure of the cardiovascular system in different vertebrate groups and the correlation between physical activity and cardio-vascular system regulation.
- Explain how blood is involved in 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 explain 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 kidney function and regulation in mammals.
- Discuss and explain how physiological mechanisms are integrated and enable animals 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 kidney function.
- General concepts of electrophysiology, muscle, nerve, heart and respiratory function will be illustrated through laboratory exercises.
Literature
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
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
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 4 laboratory reports
EKA
N100040122
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
1
Exam element b)
Timing
June
Tests
Written exam
EKA
N100040102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Exam number
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
4 hours
Examination aids
The exam is without aids. However, standard build in calculator in Windows/MAC are allowed. It is also allowed to use Maple, Mathematica, Mathcad, MathLab, GeoGebra Apps, R, R-Studio, CAS TI-Nspire, Ms Excel or LibreOffice Calc. WordMat is allowed but not recommended. Use of WordMat is at your own risk and no support is provided for errors caused by the program. For drawing it is allowed to use ChemBioDraw. Furthermore, it is also allowed to use language translation dictionaries (e.g. Danish/English, Danish/German etc) in "ordbogsprogrammet" (the dictionary programme) from http://www.ordbogen.com/ in electronic form. The browser version is not allowed.
Internet is not allowed during the exam. However, you may visit the course site in itslearning in connection with accessing system DE-Digital Exam and filling out the multiple-choice questions.
ECTS value
9
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase. These teaching activities are reflected in an estimated allocation of the workload of an average student as follows:
- Intro phase (lectures) 56 hours
- Training phase: 40 hours, including 24 hours tutorials and 16 hours laboratory
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.
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, lab reports are key elements of the study phase, and students can expect feedback from a teacher on them. 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
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.