Date

Biol 322: Environmental Physiology of Animals (2009)

Dr. Yuxiang Wang

BioSci Complex Rm. 3508; 533-6134; yuxiangw@biology.queensu.ca

Teaching Assistants:

Christina Genge (Office Hour: 9:00am-10:30am, Friday)

Alex Little (Office Hour: 9:00am-10:00am, Monday)

Lectures will be in BioSci Complex 1102 (13:30, Monday; 8:30, Tues; 12:30, Wednesday). Monday and Wednesday lecture slots will be used throughout the term. Tues seminar slot will be used at the instructor’s discretion for supplemental materials, guest lectures or research seminars.

BIOL 322 is a survey of animal physiology using a comparative perspective. The emphasis is on the interaction of the animal with its environment (social and physical) rather than the mechanisms of homeostatic feedback within an individual. Examples will be drawn widely from the Animal Kingdom. This course differs from BIOL 338 that examines the functioning of major organs and tissues rather than the interactions of an organism with the environment. It also differs from PHGY courses that are focused on function as a means of understanding and mitigating malfunction (disease) of human, rather than physiological function as an evolutionary adaptation to an ecological niche. BIOL 334 is likewise more focused on cellular adaptations than on interactions with the environment. The BIOL 322 emphasis on the environment leads us to consider the impacts of environmental disturbances, including contaminants, on the welfare of wild animals. The course assumes a basic understanding of biological diversity (BIOL 200) and animal physiology (BIOL 338) and expects that students will be enrolled in the core program leading to a Biology medial or major.

The required course textbook is: Willmer, Stone & Johnston. 2005. Environmental Physiology of Animals 2^nd edition. Blackwell Science. ISBN1-4051-0724-3. Although the 2^nd edition of the book has been published last fall, and it is preferred textbook for this course, a considerable portion of lecture materials can still be found in the 1^st edition. Therefore it is acceptable to use the 1^st edition if you can find a used copy. Sufficient copies of the new 2^nd edition text are available in the Campus Bookstore. A large portion of the lecture materials will be related, but not limited to the textbook.

Course notes may not be made available before the lectures. The notes will only serve as a thread to help student to understand the lecture materials. The lecture will be based on but not limited to the textbook. Thus attendance at lectures is strongly recommended. The archived examinations from previous years are the most reliable guides to the expectation and material this year.

Essay title, references and requirement will be assigned through the course website immediately after mid-term examination. You are to submit your assignment through course WebCT.

The Grading Scheme will be:

1) In-class mid-term examination (Feb 24) 20%

2) Essay (March 12, 2009, due April 12) 30%

3) Final Examination (7-10pm, April 17th) 50%

The tentative course timetable:

See lecture schedule to find out midterm exam coverage area.

(Updated March 31, 2009)

Date	Time	Topic (Subject to Change)	Professor
Mon, Jan 5	13:30	Introduction	Wang
Tue, Jan 6	8:30	Environment, Adaptation, Comparative Approach	Wang
Wed. Jan 7	12:30	Thoughts for fish, water and environment	Wang
Mon. Jan 12	13:30	Does Size Matter? (notes for two lectures)	Wang
Tues. Jan 13	8:30	Movie (Freshwater)
Wed. Jan 14	12:30	Size matters con’t	Wang
Mon. Jan 19	13:30	Life without water?	Wang
Tues. Jan 20	8:30	Continued lecture on “Life without Water?”
Wed. Jan 21	12:30	Osmotic homeostasis	Wang
Mon. Jan 26	13:30	Excreting toxins	Wang
Tues. Jan 27	8:30	Too salty or too little salt?	Wang
Wed. Jan 28	12:30	Cont’s on hydro minerals	Wang
Mon. Feb 2	13:30	Drinking salt water	Wang
Tues. Feb 3	8:30	Movie (Shallow Sea)
Wed. Feb 4	12:30	Temperature Effects	Wang
Mon. Feb 9	13:30	Challenge in Thermal-Stable Environment	Wang
Tues Feb 10	8:30	Thermal Challenges Moving to Land	Wang
Wed Feb 11	12:30	The materials in this lecture will not be included in the mid-term exam!	Wang
*READING WEEK*
Mon. Feb 23	13:30	No lecture!!!
Tues. Feb 24	8:30	Midterm Exam (in class)	Wang
Wed. Feb 25	12:30	Thermal Challenges on Land	Wang
Mon. Mar 2	13:30	Guest Lecture Hindcast physiological and growth responses in fish environmental changes	John Casselman
Tues. Mar 3	8:30	Movie (Ice World)
Wed. Mar 4	12:30	Exchange gases without losing too much H₂O	Wang
Mon. Mar 9	13:30	Continue last lecture on “Gas exchange with water balance”
Tues. Mar 10	8:30	Delivering O2	Wang
Wed. Mar 11	12:30	Altitude and Diving (1)	Wang
Mon. Mar 16	13:30	Altitude and Diving (2)	Wang
Tues. Mar 17	8:30	Terrestrial and Arid Habitats	Wang
Wed Mar 18	12:30	Food is not free	Wang
Mon. Mar 23	13:30	Continue on Food
Tues. Mar 24	8:30	All foods are not equal	Wang
Wed. Mar 25	12:30	Locomotion this lecture was not given due to time constrain, but the lecture note is provided	Wang
Mon. Mar 30	13:30	Guest Lecture on Environment in Animal’s Eyes “Animal Visions”	Ilse
Tues. Mar 31	8:30	Guest Lecture on Antioxidant System in Animal Surviving different Environments	Adam
Wed Apr 1	12:30	Lecture on Animal Sleep	Wang

Example assignment from previous classes

The following essays were written by students in my 2004, 2005, and 2006 classes. These students have done a good job in putting together the papers. I have their permission post their work for your information. I trust that you will be able to learn a great deal from the papers. Enjoy them!

Essay Assignment for 2004

Essay Assignment for 2005

Example Essays coming soon!

Essay Assignment for 2006

Example Essays coming soon!