BIOLOGIA

Module ZOOLOGIA GENERALE

Knowledge of the position of animals among living organisms. Broad understanding of form and function as it relates to biological processes and systems. Basic understanding in evolutionary biology, including in the context of using evolution as a unifying “lens” in biology. Ability in applying “tree thinking” to the variation which can be observed among organisms.

Lectures and practicals.

Basic knowledge of biology, as acquired in pre-university education.

Attendance is compulsory.

• The main groups of living organisms and their relationships.
• Metabolism.
• Form and function: general concepts and homeostasis, digestion and absorption, sensory and motor mechanisms, respiration, circulation and transport, excretion, reproduction.
• Evolution: general concept and historical notes, natural selection, evolution at the population level, speciation, macroevolution.

Attending lectures is essential as the instructor does not strictly follow the material presented in a single book.

The following books should not be intended as "adopted" books but, rather, as mere suggestions.

D. Sadava, et al. – Life: The Science of Biology. Freeman

Lisa A. Urry - Michael L. Cain - Steven A. Wasserman - Peter V. Minorsky - Rebecca B. Orr. Campbell. Biology 12th Edition. Pearson

Openstax – Biology 2e – Rice University https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e

Mid-term written test on part of the topics. The final exam is an oral examination.

• Describe the potential problems and related general solutions when organisms are in hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic solutions.
• Given a set of traits scored on three organisms, find out which are the most likely evolutionary relationships among them.
• Allopatric and sympatric speciation: describe and contrast them.