Course Description
Survey of anatomy and physiology at the gross and cellular levels. Special emphasis will be placed on the unique characteristics of avian physiology and morphology using the chicken as the model animal.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to write an in-depth term
paper and make an oral presentation on a specific topic related
to avian physiology. It is anticipated that this report will
use classroom lecture material as a starting point to introduce
the selected topic. However, it is expected that graduate
students will provide a thorough comprehensive discussion of
the topic by integrating information acquired from recent
review articles to describe the current understanding of their
avian physiology topic. Moreover, this discussion should rely
heavily upon contemporary molecular and cell biology based
reports that provide an underlying basis for the physiological
principles that are discussed.
In addition, graduate student exams will include a comprehensive
oral question that requires them to interface outside reading
material with classroom lecture information.
Athena Title
Avian Anatomy and Physiology
Prerequisite
(BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L) or POUL 2020-2020L
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students enrolled in this class will gain an excellent foundation in general physiology, an in-depth background in selected areas of physiology, including muscle biology, cardiovascular physiology and immunology, as well as a detailed appreciation for the unique aspects of avian physiology and morphology. Furthermore, students will acquire hands-on skills operating laboratory instruments (physiograph recorder, spectrophotometer, etc.) and performing in vivo and in vitro experiments. In selected laboratory exercises, students will generate laboratory reports. These written reports will require the use of word processing and spreadsheet software programs to organize, analyze and present the data collected in these experiments. Course examinations will include a mixture of straightforward factual questions and essay questions that will require critical thinking and application of physiological concepts.
Topical Outline
I. Evolutionary Adaptations of Birds A. Bird evolutionary origins B. Feathers C. Skeletal System 1. Skeletal Anatomy 2. Skeletal Adaptations for Flight II. Cell Morphology A. Primary Histological Tissues 1. Muscle, Nervous, Epithelial, and Connective Tissue III. Respiratory Physiology A. Mammalian v. Avian B. Structure of Respiratory System C. Gas Exchange in the Lungs IV. Nervous System A. Neurons and Supporting Cells B. The Synapse and Neurotransmitters C. Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System V. Muscle Physiology A. Muscle Anatomy B. Skeletal Muscle 1. Structure of Skeletal Muscle 2. Motor End Plate Physiology 3. Skeletal Muscle Reflexes C. Cardiac Muscle D. Smooth Muscle VI. Cardiovascular Physiology A. Functions of the Circulatory System 1. Comparative Avian v. Mammalian B. Blood: Platelets, Erythrocytes, Leukocytes 1. Erythropoiesis C. Heart 1. Anatomy of the Avian Heart 2. Cardiac Cycle 3. Electric Activity of the Heart and ECG D. Blood Vessels E. Hemostasis F. Atherosclerosis VII. Endocrinology A. Endocrine Gland Anatomy B. Hormones 1. Classification of Hormones 2. Mechanisms of Hormone Action 3. Pituitary and Hypothalamic Hormones 4. Adrenal Gland Hormones 5. Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands Hormones 6. Pancreas a) Roles of Insulin and Glucagon 7. Pineal Gland 8. RAAS (Renin-Aldosterone-Angiotensinogen System) VIII. Digestive System and Metabolism A. Digestive Anatomy 1. Avian v. Mammalian B. Digestion and Absorption of Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Proteins C. Regulation of Hunger and Metabolic Rate IX. Immunology A. Nonspecific Resistance and Innate Immunity 1. Leukocytes and Macrophages 2. Antimicrobial Proteins 3. Inflammation B. Specific/Adaptive Immunity 1. Function of T lymphocytes a) Thymopoiesis and Thymus 2. Function of B Lymphocytes a) The Bursa of Fabricius b) Types of Antibodies X. Renal System A. Gross Anatomy of Kidneys and Nephron B. Glomerular Filtration C. Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion D. Uric Acid v. Urea XI. Reproductive Physiology A. Sex Determination (Avian v. Mammalian) B. Male Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology 1. Avian v. Mammalian 2. Testes a) Spermatogenesis 3. Accessory Organs and Semen C. Female Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology 1. Ovary and Oviduct a) Ovarian Regulation and Follicular Maturation b) Fertilization (1) Sperm Storage Tubules (2) Sperm-IPVL Interaction c) Egg Formation and Expulsion (1) Oviduct sections and their function (2) Egg Components
Syllabus
Public CV