ECO-PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: Antonella RUSSOExpected Learning Outcomes
The course proposes the study of environmental factors that determine variations in the physiology of animal organisms (such as oxygen, water, depth, temperature); basic mechanisms of adaptation to environmental variations: biological membranes and osmoregulation phenomena; respiratory pigments and different ventilation mechanisms; effects of temperature: adaptations to low temperatures, migrations, present oceans, particular habitats, greenhouse effect; anthropogenic problems. The sense of smell, sight, functions and plasticity of the brain in relation to the evolution in different living organism.
Course Structure
The course of physiology is held through frontal teaching
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Detailed Course Content
A comparative understanding of the mechanisms of environmental animal’s physiology; in particular we want to look in turn as ionic, osmotic issues, energy balance, circulating fluids, nerves, hormones. Cell membrane permeation and process for water diffusion, osmosis and channel movements for osmotic regulation, in different habitat; Oxygen carriage: pigments and their types and properties; different respiratory surfaces, haemolymph and blood vessel colloid osmotic pressure. Circulation and ventilation; The temperature and its effects: thermal acclimatation, behavioural regulation, migration; Anthropogenic problems. Olfacotory system, vision and CNS evolution and plasticity.
Textbook Information
We recommend using the English version of texts as Environmental physiology ( a cura di Fregly MJ e Blatteis CM) – Oxford Univ. Press 1996or other English text.
Course Planning
Subjects | Text References | |
---|---|---|
1 | introduzione alla fisiologia ambientale: concetti fondamentali | pdf docente, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
2 | SNC: evoluzione, plasticità sinaptica, sonno, memoria | pdf docente, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
3 | recettori sensoriali ed adattamenti | pdf docente, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
4 | olfatto. evoluzione. funzioni | pdf docente, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
5 | pressione e profondità. adattementi dei cetacei | pdf docente, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
6 | temperatura e termoregolazione | pdf docente, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
7 | acqua: ambiente desertico, adattamenti terrestri | pdf docente, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
8 | ossigeno, pressione e profondità | pdf docente, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
9 | controllo dell'assunzione del cibo | pdf docente, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.