13520 - Animal Biology

Learning outcomes

Students acquire basic skills in animal biology with emphasis toward on the eukaryotic cell composition, structure and function and on the basic anatomical, biochemical, physiological knowledge of animal structure and function.

Course contents

LEARNING UNIT 1 - MOLECULAR, CELL AND GENETIC BASES OF LIFE.

The Molecules of Cells: macrocolecules. Form and function in the animal eukaryotic cell. The cell membranes: composition and functions. Genetics and evolution: molecular and cellular basis of inheritance (DNA replication and mutations), cell cycle and proliferation (multicellularity), mitosis, meiosis, sexuality, inheritance and genetic variability

Basic knowledge of cellular metabolism, respiration and signalling of animals are illustrated and discussed in the Learning Unit 2 ad hoc and functionally for the illustration and discussion of animal systemic structures and functions.

LEARNING UNIT 2 - ANIMALS' STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION.

Unifying concepts of Animal Structure and Function. The immune system. Hormones and endocrine system. Nervous system. The animal senses. How animals move.

Readings/Bibliography

LEARNING UNIT 1: Ed. Pearson. Campbell. Biologia e genetica 12/Ed. • Con MyLab , Autori L. A. Urry - M. L. Cain - S. A. Wasserman - P. V. Minorsky - R. B. Orr (vers. cartacea ISBN 9788891905567; vers. digitale ISBN 9788891905567B)

LEARNING UNIT 2: Ed. Pearson. Campbell, La forma e la funzione negli animali 12/ed. • Autori L. A. Urry - M. L. Cain - S. A. Wasserman - P. V. Minorsky - R. B. Orr (vers. cartacea ISBN 8891918555; vers. digitale ISBN 9788865118935)

Learning Unit 1. Concepts

1. 1.1-1.4 (L); 2.1-2.4 (L); 3.1-3.3 (L); 4.1-4.3 (S); 5.1-5.5 (S); 5.6 (L)
2. 6.1-6.8 (S); 7.1-7.2 (S)
3. 7.3-7.4 (S)
4. 11.1-11.4 (S); 12.1-12.4 (S); 15.1 (L), 15.2-15.3 (S).

Learning Unit 2. Concepts

1. 1.1-1.4 (S)
2. 2.1-2.3 (S), 2.4 (L)
3. 3.1-3.3 (S)
4. 6.1-6.4 (S)
5. 7.1-7.5 (S), 7.6 (L)

(L): deep reading; (S): study

These books, customized from the Biology's Holy book Campbell Biology 10th ed. for content and extension, allow undergraduate students to reach the goal of the course and, together with supporting materials offered by the MyLab platform (reading questions, bioflix-videos, mp3s, tests and coaching activities), to acquire:

1. hard and soft skills to connect and adsorbe different basic themes of Biology, Genetics and Animal Biology coupling form and function in the Evolution of Animal Life at multiple biocomplexity levels,

2. basic knowledges and skills of the scientific and quantitative methods,

3. the inspiration given by the modern animal biology

Teaching methods

Lectures

Discussion and debates in the classroom

Self-learning on the online web-platform MyLab with reading questions, bioflix-videos, mp3s, tests and coaching activities related to UD 1. MOLECULAR, CELL AND GENETIC BASES OF LIFE.

Self-learning on the online web-platform MyLab with reading questions and digital supporting materials given by the lecturer related to UD 2. ANIMALS' STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Assessment methods

Online written test.

The test is performed online using the EsamiOnLine platform of the University of Bologna.

The online test is composed by 31 questions with multiple-choice, true/false and lacking-word answers. Correct answer: 1 point; wrong answer/unanswered question: 0 point.

With 31 correct answers, the mark is 30/30 with laude.

Test duration: 35 minutes.

Disabled students must contact the teacher by email to request and define extra-time and supporting tools.

Teaching tools

Slides of the course (only to define the cultural and scientific track; THE UNIVERSITY SLIDES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO LEARN ADEQUATELY!)

Teaching tools offered by the MyLab web-platform (reading questions, bioflix-videos, mp3s, tests and coaching activities) and by the lecturer.

Students who are affected by a learning disability (DSA) and in need of special strategies to compensate for it are kindly requested to contact the Teacher, to be referred to the colleagues in charge and get proper advice and instructions.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Della Rocca