Physiological and Environmental Toxicology

Recommended Prerequisites

The acquisition of new concepts is not the main goal of this curricular unit, but instead bridging and integrating previously acquired key biological concepts. Therefore, it is recommend the previous approval at all obligatory.

Fluency in english is important since the bibliography is in english.

Teaching Methods

Strong enrolment of students in the teaching-learning process.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit aims at the integration, by the students, of key concepts in Animal Biology, in a holistic perspective, where biological responses to abiotic stressors, at different temporal scales, are interpreted articulating the various levels of biological organization.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Environmental Physiology and Toxicology - Introduction. Biological responses on different scales.

2. Thermal stress

2.1. Heat production and heat exchanges

2.2. Thermal regulation: homeothermy and endothermy

2.3. Thermal conformity: poikilothermy

2.4. Avoidance: torpor, diapause and migrations

2.5. Homeostatic mechanisms and the evolution of endothermy

3. Hypoxic stress

3.1. Conformity and oxygen regulation

3.2. Mechanisms of ventilation in animals

3.3. Oxygen delivery

3.4. Responses to prolonged hypoxia: altitude and diving

3.5. Control of respiration

4. Osmotic stress

5. Chemical stress

5.1. Chemical pollution

5.2. Effects: from molecules to ecosystems

5.3. Approaches to assess chemical stress.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 10.0%
Project: 25.0%
Resolution Problems: 25.0%
Exam: 40.0%

Bibliography

Randall, D.; W. Burggren, K. French (2001) Eckert Animal Physiology. Mechanisms and Adaptations.

5ª ed., W. H. Freeman, Nova Iorque, E.U.A.

Schmidt-Nielsen, K. (1997) Animal Physiology. Adaptation and Environment. 5ª ed., Cambridge

University Press, Cambridge, Reino Unido.

Walker, C.H.; S.P. Hopkin, R.M. Sibly (2006) Principles of Ecotoxicology. 3ª ed., Taylor & Francis,

Boca Raton, E.U.A.

Willmer, P.; G. Stone, I. Johnston (2004) Environmental Physiology of Animals. 2ª ed., Blackwell

Science, Oxford, Reino Unido.

 

E artigos científicos recentes | And recent scientific papers.