Zoology 3
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: FRANCESCO TIRALONGOExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide knowledge of the main functions that enable the life of an animal organism and the different structural plans through which these functions are carried out, as well as of the reproductive mechanisms and evolutionary processes underlying animal biodiversity. It also aims to provide knowledge of the main taxa of Protozoa and Metazoa and the ability to apply such knowledge to the identification of the most common animal groups and/or those of economic and sanitary relevance, as well as the ability to use the appropriate disciplinary terminology.
Course Structure
The course consists of lectures and practical sessions; the latter include both ongoing assessment and activities aimed at consolidating the acquired knowledge, as well as laboratory work. Field activities are also planned.
Required Prerequisites
Having attended and at least studied the subjects of the first teaching period, in particular Human Anatomy and Cytology and Histology.
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.
Detailed Course Content
Course Schedule
| Week | Topics | Reference Texts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is an animal | IV - I (ch. 1) |
| 2 | Functions: metabolism | IV |
| 3 | Functions: respiration and gas exchange | IV - I (ch. 5) |
| 4 | Functions: feeding | IV - I (ch. 4) |
| 5 | Functions: transport | IV - I (ch. 6) |
| 6 | Functions: excretion and osmoregulation | IV - I (ch. 7) |
| 7 | Functions: interaction with the environment – sense organs and nervous system | IV - I (ch. 8, pp. 94–97) |
| 8 | Functions: support and movement | IV - I (ch. 3) |
| 9 | Functions: homeostasis (e.g., temperature regulation, osmoregulation) | IV - I (ch. 1, p. 2) |
| 10 | Reproduction | IV - I (ch. 10) |
| 11 | Embryonic development | IV - I (ch. 11, pp. 167–170) - V (ch. 3, pp. 45–55) |
| 12 | Evolution and animal diversity | IV - I (ch. 2, pp. 3–9) - II (ch. 3) |
| 13 | The species. Rules of nomenclature | IV - II (ch. 3) |
| 14 | Concept of homology. Phylogeny and phylogenetic trees | IV - II (ch. 3) |
| 15 | Classification methods | IV - II (ch. 3) |
| 16 | Main evolutionary pathways of animals | IV - II (ch. 3) |
| 17 | Protozoa: general features, classification overview | IV - II (ch. 4) - III (ch. 16) |
| 18 | Main taxa of Protozoa, with focus on human parasites | IV - II (ch. 4) - III (ch. 16) |
| 19 | Metazoa: organizational models; symmetry and movement; life modes | IV - II (ch. 2) - I (ch. 11, pp. 167–170; ch. 12) |
| 20 | Origin of multicellularity and main evolutionary pathways | IV - II (ch. 5, p. 62–63; ch. 3, pp. 24–26) - III (ch. 17, pp. 353–354) |
| 21 | Porifera | IV - II (ch. 5) - III (ch. 17) |
| 22 | Cnidarians; Ctenophores | IV - II (ch. 6) - III (ch. 18) |
| 23 | Platyhelminths, with focus on human parasites | IV - III (ch. 9, pp. 400–414) |
| 24 | Nemerteans | IV - II (ch. 7, pp. 102–104) |
| 25 | Mollusks | IV - II (ch. 8) - III (ch. 21) |
| 26 | Annelids | IV - III (ch. 22, pp. 471–489) - II (ch. 9) |
| 27 | Rotifers | IV - II (overview: ch. 10, p. 161 and pp. 165–166) |
| 28 | Lophophorates (Bryozoans) | IV - II (ch. 11, pp. 175–178) |
| 29 | Nematodes, with focus on human parasites | IV - II (ch. 13) |
| 30 | Arthropods: general features | IV - II (ch. 16) |
| 31 | Arthropods: Chelicerates | IV - II (ch. 17) |
| 32 | Arthropods: Crustaceans | IV - II (ch. 19) |
| 33 | Arthropods: Myriapods and Hexapods | IV - II (ch. 18 and 20) - III (ch. 26) |
| 34 | Echinoderms | IV - II (ch. 21) |
| 35 | Chordates: general features and classification | IV - II (ch. 22, pp. 307–309) - III (ch. 28, pp. 617–623) |
| 36 | Chordates: Tunicates and Cephalochordates | IV - II (ch. 22) - III (ch. 28) |
| 37 | Chordates: main stages in vertebrate evolution | IV - II (chs. 23 and 24) |
Textbook Information
I. De Bernardi ed altri - Zoologia. Parte generale. Ed. Idelson Gnocchi
II. De Bernardi ed altri - Zoologia. Parte sistematica. II edizione. Ed. Idelson Gnocchi
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | De Bernardi ed altri - Zoologia. Parte generale. Ed. Idelson Gnocch | |
| 2 | De Bernardi ed altri - Zoologia. Parte sistematica. II edizione. Ed. Idelson Gnocchi |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Grading criteria: The highest grade is awarded to the student who demonstrates mastery of the topics, the ability to interrelate the acquired knowledge, strong presentation skills, and command of the disciplinary terminology.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Example questions
What are the possible forms of sexuality in animals, and what are their respective advantages and disadvantages?
Describe the phylum Mollusca and its general characteristics. Specific questions may concern the different classes.