Learning objectives
the course aims to provide students with the necessary information about nervous system physiology,digestive physiology and some general aspects of ethologhy.
Examples of integration of regulatory processes will be proposed in order to enable students to use the knoledge and understanding gained in the course.
Prerequisites
- - -
Course unit content
A general overview of digestive functions and their control mechanisms will be given in the first part of the module. Thereafter, secretion and motility throughout the gastrointestinal tract will be described, as well as the digestive functions of pancreas and liver. Digestion and absorption of the nutrients will also be studied. A description of fermentative processes in herbivores and motility of forestomachs will also be provided.
The second part of the module will begin with a general overview of the nervous system functional organization, including general aspects of sensory, motor and integrative functions. An explanation of the somatic sensory pathways, as well as a description of the pain pathways will be provided. The control of voluntary and reflex motor activity will be also studied. A description of autonomic nervous systems, as regards to organization, functions and neurotransmitters will be provided. Homeostatic and behavioral functions of hypothalamus will be also studied. In the final part of the module, some aspects of animal behavior will be studied.
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
-"Fisiologia degli animali domestici",Sjaastad, Sand, Hove, Edizione italiana,Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
-J.G. CUNNINGHAM "MANUALE DI FISIOLOGIA VETERINARIA" , ANTONIO DELFINO EDITORE;
-GUYTON AND HALL "FISIOLOGIA MEDICA", PICCIN, PADOVA;
-M.J. SWENSON, W.O. REECE "DUKE'S FISIOLOGIA DEGLI ANIMALI DOMESTICI", IDELSON-GNOCCHI, NAPOLI;
-G. AGUGGINI, V. BEGHELLI, L.F. GIULIO " FISIOLOGIA DEGLI ANIMALI DOMESTICI CON ELEMENTI DI ETOLOGIA", UTET,TORINO;
-SHERWOOD, ANDORF, YANCEY "FISIOLOGIA DEGLI ANIMALI- DAI GENI AGLI ORGANISMI
Teaching methods
Course topics will be addressed in lectures. In addition, practical training, seminars and educational visits will be proposed to integrate teorical lectures. All course material will be made available to students.
Assessment methods and criteria
The acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the issues covered by the course will be tested by means of an oral examination. During the exam, the student must also demonstratates the ability to make connections between the various tpoics proposed.
Other information
- - -
