Advanced Studies in Animal Physiology

Code: ZOO10419M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Animal Science

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

This UC addresses the mechanisms of cell and tissue growth, digestion, immunity, animal behaviour, lactation, reproduction and body temperature regulation at an advanced level.

Sustainable Development Goals

Fome zero e agricultura sustentável - Acabar com a fome, alcançar a segurança alimentar e melhoria da nutrição e promover a agricultura sustentável.

Saúde e bem-estar - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Igualdade de género - Alcançar a igualdade de gênero e empoderar todas as mulheres e meninas.

Consumo e produção responsáveis - Assegurar padrões de produção e de consumo sustentáveis.

Vida terrestre - Proteger, recuperar e promover o uso sustentável dos ecossistemas terrestres, gerir de forma sustentável as florestas, combater a desertificação, deter e reverter a degradação da Terra e deter a perda da biodiversidade.

Learning Goals

Aims:

To present the molecular bases of physiological body functions.

To understand how to integrate molecular aspects at the level of animal metabolism as a whole and apply those Knowledge to the animal production technologies.

To introduce the tools and methodologies for estimating physiological parameters.

Learning outcomes:

The student should be able to:

Identify the new tendencies on selected topics.

Obtain an integrated view of physiological mechanisms from a molecular basis to the body homeostatic mechanisms.

Perform a critical analysis of bibliography, based on an oral presentation of a selected topic.

Regulation of cellular growth and death.

Intercellular communication: neurotransmitters and hormones. Cellular mechanisms of hormone action. Regulation of hormonal secretion.

Immune mechanisms.

Hormones and growth. Bone growth, muscular growth and adipose growth.

Relevant topics on digestive physiology: regulation of intake, effects of anti-nutritive factors, effects of functional foods.

Relevant topics on reproductive physiology and lactation: endocrine control of reproduction and lactation, assisted reproductive technologies

Animal neurobiology: nature, feeling and behaviour- foundations for sensient animal

The influence of environmental factors on animal physiology.

Teaching Methods

Teaching methods are based on lectures and seminars covering main topics. Seminars will be used for discussion with students on the topics covered, which should demonstrate their ability to critically analyze the bibliography consulted.
Assessment: Two written tests or alternatively a written exam. To eliminate subjects in each test, the student will have to obtain a classification higher than 10 (on a scale of 0 to 20). The option for the final exam implies taking a test on all the subjects taught. Approval in the subject depends on obtaining a classification equal to or greater than 10 (on a scale from 0 to 20), which in the case of the continuous assessment regime, will result from the average of the two frequency tests, none of the grades obtained in frequency can be less than 10.
Students who do not have a minimum of 75% attendance to non-theoretical classes will be evaluated in an appeal exam (Academic regulation, article 110, point 11, line c).

Assessment

Assessment based on two tests (final grade = average of the two tests, provided both tests have a score of 9 or higher on a scale of 20) or a final exam.
An oral presentation of an individual project may be requested (final grade = quizzes/exam = 70%; individual project = 30%).