Animal Physiology

Code: BIO12411L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Biological Sciences

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Presentation

This course aims to understand the fundamental physiological mechanisms in vertebrates.

Sustainable Development Goals

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.

Vida na água - Conservação e uso sustentável dos oceanos, dos mares, e dos recursos marinhos para o desenvolvimento sustentável.

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

1. Knowledge about the physiological mechanisms underlying animal life, especially vertebrates.
2. Comparative approach in the study of fundamental physiological mechanisms that reflect adaptations to different environments.
3. Problem-solving based learning to stimulate application of acquired theoretical knowledge and development of abstractive, deduction and results interpretation skills.
4. Understanding of the scientific method.
5. Development of communication and synthesis skills through oral communication.
6. Promote reading and understanding of the English language.
7. Promote the use of generic software (e.g. Excel, Powerpoint, Word) and specific software (experiment simulators for animal physiology).
8. Promote research of information in databases available on the internet (e.g., b-On e Web of Knowledge).

1. Definitions and concepts in animal physiology.
2. Neuron physiology.
3. Information flow between neurons (synapses and neural networks).
4. Sensory physiology.
5. Nervous system.
6. Physiology of muscle contraction.
7. Glands and endocrinology.
8. Circulatory system.
9. Gas exchange and acid-base balance.
10. Ionic and osmotic balances.
11. Feeding, digestion, and energy metabolism.

Simulated virtual experiments on the computer to consolidate knowledge on the following topics: neuron physiology (action potential); synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction; regulation of the skeletal muscle contraction; neuroendocrine regulation of the mammalian cardiovascular system.

Teaching Methods

In the theoretical classes there is a structured exposition and discussion of the syllabus. In theoretical-practical classes, the students carry out virtual experiments simulated on the computer. These experiments are carried out individually or in small groups (2-3 students), following protocols prepared by the teacher. The student is required to describe and interpret the results in the laboratory notebook, and to participate in debates initiated by the teacher about the results of the experiments. In the moodle platform are available supporting materials to the syllabus.
The evaluation is quantified on a scale of 0-20 values; approval requires a grade equal to or higher than 10 values in each element of evaluation. Students are assessed individually and can choose either continuous assessment or a final exam. Continuous assessment consists of two written tests, in the middle and at the end of the semester, with equal weight in the final grade. The final exam is a written test.