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The student can describe a selection of the following concepts and notions using his/her own words and with examples:
- The role of adaptation and acclimation in Darwin's theory of evolution;
- A “Panglossian paradigm”, the difference between an adaptation and an exaptation (according to Gould);
- How energy metabolism and thermal biology impact physiology
- How thermal biology impacts ecophysiology
- The concept of allostasis, or “constancy through change”
- The genetic basis of morphological and behavioural evolution
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This series of lectures focuses on organismal physiology: regulatory mechanisms in the intact animal are addressed (Integrative Physiology). The central theme is how animals (including humans) have adapted to realise a dynamic interaction and to cope with continuously changing environmental conditions. Homeostatic and allostatic principles are discussed.
The course content is centered around the themes:
- Adaptation and evolution
- Temperature adaptation
- Allostasis
- Phenotypic plasticity
When appropriate, topics that received attention in recent papers and science sections of news papers will be addressed.
Instructional Modes
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Acquaintance with the content of the Bachelor courses Animal Physiology, Animal Adaptation Phyiology and Endocrinology is highly recommended, but not a strict requirement.
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Test (Cirrus) (100%) consists of a selection of open and MC questions on covered topics.
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