Livestock science and animal production technologies

PHYSIOLOGY OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS (MOD. 3)
cod. 1004391

Professor

Academic discipline

Fisiologia veterinaria (VET/02)

Field

Discipline della sanità animale

Type of training activity

Characterising

16 hours
of face-to-face activities

2 credits

hub: -

course unit
in - - -

Learning objectives

Knowledge of the main physiological functions of domestic animals in a homeostatic perspective.

Prerequisites

- - -

Course unit content

Physiology of the nervous system
Overview of the nervous system.
Structure and functions of neurons. Propagation of nerve impulses. Signal trasmission at synapses. Sensory receptors. Somatic sensory pathways. Special senses. Reflexes and reflex arcs.Brain’s control of posture and locomotion.Integrative functions of the cerebrum. Organization and functions of the autonomic nervous system. Hypothalamus and homeostasis.

• Physiology of muscle and exercise
Overview of muscular tissue. Functional anatomy of skeletal muscle. Muscle contraction and relaxation. Excitation-contraction coupling. Motor units. Muscle metabolism during exercise. Types of skeletal muscle fibers. Exercise and skeletal muscle tissue.
Physiology of smooth muscle.

•
• Physiology of digestion
Overview of digestive function and its control. Prehension and mastication. Gastrointestinal motility.Compositions and functions of saliva. Deglutition. Functions of the stomach. Pancreatic juice. Role and composition of bile. Chemical digestion and absorption in the intestine.. The fermentative processes in ruminants and simple-stomach erbivores.

Full programme

- - -

Bibliography

1) J.G. CUNNINGHAM "MANUALE DI FISIOLOGIA VETERINARIA" , ANTONIO DELFINO EDITORE;
2) O.V. SJAASTAD, K. HOVE, O. SAND "PHYSIOLOGY OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS", SCANDINAVIAN VETERINARY PRESS;

Teaching methods

oral lectures

Assessment methods and criteria

oral exam

PHYSIOLOGY OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS (MOD. 3) cod. 1004391