B6083 - Physiology of Aquatic Animals

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the basic mechanisms that govern the functions of different cell types, tissues, organs and systems of aquatic animals with particular reference to the respiratory, cardiovascular, excretory and digestive systems. In particular, the student knows the physiology and has the basis to follow the specific teachings characterizing the zootechnical and health sector.

Furthermore, the student has acquired knowledge of the physiology and endocrinology of the reproductive system of Teleosts; also in relation to the methods of reproduction control.

The knowledge acquired is related to the endocrine and metabolic system, to the main mechanisms of internal homeostasis, and to the alteration of the same as a cause of disease and to possible abiotic factors such as endocrine disruptors.

Course contents

The course is divided into two parts:

Part 1 PHYSIOLOGY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS, takes place in the first semester from September to December, amounting to 6 credits (60 hours), including lectures, laboratory work, and group exercises.
These exercises may be shared with other instructors and courses in the same semester to enhance student learning and cross-curricular skills.

SPECIFIC COURSE PREREQUISITES: For a better understanding of the course content, students should have prior knowledge of the Biology and Chemistry courses, and in particular the Histology and Anatomy of Aquatic Animals course.

SPECIFIC COURSE CONTENT:

Lectures: 54 hours

General Physiology of the Cell (8 hours): The Cell Membrane
Simple Diffusion, Facilitated Diffusion, Active Transport. Endocytosis, Exocytosis. Osmotic regulation of cell tone.

Blood and cardiovascular physiology of teleosts (18 hours)
Blood: body fluids, corpuscular fraction, hemostatic mechanisms, gas transport, cardiac cycle, elements of hemodynamics

Gas exchange and respiratory physiology of teleosts (8 hours)Gill respiration in teleosts and elasmobranchs: countercurrent system; types of ventilation; oxygen transport and release at the tissue level; variations in the partial pressure of gases in water; the link between oxygen and respiratory pigment; adaptations and compensations to low concentrations of dissolved oxygen in water.

Gastrointestinal physiology with an overview of metabolic physiology (14 hours)
Feeding habits, mechanical, enzymatic, and microbial digestion; nutrient absorption; production and elimination of nitrogenous catabolites; differences between teleosts and elasmobranchs.

Physiology of the excretory organs of teleosts (6 hours)
The nephron, differences between freshwater and marine species, adaptations to marine and freshwater environments of euryhaline, catadromous, and anadromous species, buoyancy and swimming physiology.


Laboratory and group exercises (6 hours)

Cell membrane, cardiovascular/respiratory system; digestive and excretory systems

 

Part 2 PHYSIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION AND ENDOCRINOLOGY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS takes place in the second semester from February to June, amounting to 5 credits (50 hours of lectures, laboratory work, and group exercises).

These may be shared with other instructors and courses in the same semester to enhance student learning and cross-curricular skills.

SPECIFIC COURSE PREREQUISITES: For a better understanding of the content covered in the course, it is ESSENTIAL that students have already acquired knowledge of the first part of the course, Physiology of Aquatic Animals!

SPECIFIC COURSE CONTENT:

Lectures: 44 hours

Aspects of the physiology of the central nervous system (6 hours):
Synaptic transmission; electrical and chemical synapses, neurotransmitters and receptors, including the ANS; The action potential and its propagation

The endocrine system and its organization (6 hours).
Physiology of growth and stress in teleosts.

Physiology of the reproductive system (6 hours)
Reproductive endocrinology: hypothalamic-pituitary control of gametogenesis. Stages of maturation and development of male and female gametes. Gonadal steroidogenesis: production of male and female sex hormones. Secondary sexual characteristics and sexual dimorphism.
Hermaphroditism and sexual inversion.

Fertilization and embryonic development (22 hours)
Gamete fertilization process: external and internal fertilization. Notes on embryonic development and hatching. Artificial insemination and gamete manipulation.
Stages of larval growth and weaning after resorption of the yolk sac;
Aspects of the ontogeny of the digestive system.
Reproductive Technologies in Species of Interest in Aquaculture (4 hours)
Species of interest in aquaculture, such as the European eel, cyprinids, and trout, are considered.

Laboratory, group exercises, and seminars (6 hours):

Capture methods, containment, and anesthetic techniques for broodstock housed in the fish farm

Embryogenesis and larval development in the European eel

Evaluation of sperm viability


The first part of the course is preparatory to the second.

To take the exam, students must pass the first part of the course (6 credits). If they pass with a score of >18, they can subsequently take the second part of the course (5 credits).


Group exercises and practical teaching laboratories are an integral part of the learning process and are intended to foster knowledge not only specific to the subject matter, but also to complement and support other specialized subjects in the degree program.

 

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

Students who do NOT attend classes are advised not to use only the teaching material made available by the Teacher on the VIRTUAL resource to prepare for the exam; this material must be integrated with the recommended texts or with the notes taken in class as images and diagrams alone are not sufficient for preparing for the exam!

The Physiology of Fishes Fifth Edition 2021, Edited by Suzanne Currie and David H. Evans, CRC Press Taylor &Francis Group

Fisiologia degli animali marini. Alessandro Poli, Elena Fabbri. II edizione 2018 EdiSES s.r.l, Napoli.

Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology From Genome to Environment Reference Work • Editor-in-Chief: Anthony P. Farrell; Elsevier 2011

Fisiologia animale. R. Hill, G. Wise, M. Anderson. Zanichelli editore, Bologna 2006

The laboratory fish edited by Gary K. Ostrander. Academic press, San Diego (CA) 2000

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures with slide presentations


Practical activities, laboratory/fish greenhouse exercises


A lab coat is required for participation in the practical and laboratory activities. Appropriate DPI for specific activities, such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided.


During the course, written tests and classroom exercises will be administered without a grade. These tests are designed to assess students' learning and prepare them for the final exam.


Students with learning disabilities (LD) or special needs are encouraged to contact the instructor by email or at the end of class so they can discuss their needs and organize the teaching and exam procedures as best as possible.

Assessment methods

In cases where DSA and Disability regulations provide, aids are permitted that must be previously agreed with the Teacher (=before taking the exam) and with the teaching services of the Degree Course.


The final exam or learning assessment takes place through an ORAL test, aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of skills related to the topics covered during the course, with several questions relating to the different topics covered in the program. The exam is considered passed if the student answers the questions posed.


The presentation with adequate terminology, all the arguments and connections that indicate a good level of understanding and confidence with the subject have a positive impact on the assessment.


value scale that determines the final grade:


preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical ability that emerges only with the help of the teacher expression in overall correct language: 18-19


preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and autonomous analytical ability with modest connection skills expression in correct language: 20-24


preparation on a large number of topics covered in the course ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis and connection between topics, mastery of specific terminology: 25-27


substantially exhaustive preparation of the topics covered in the course ability to make connections and autonomous choices of critical analysis, full mastery of specific terminology with argumentation and self-reflection skills: 28-30-30L


both the first and second parts contribute equally to determining the final grade, which represents the average of the grades obtained in the 2 tests.


attendance of lessons is significant in the learning process of the subject!

Teaching tools

• Lecture slides available on the UNIBO VIRTUAL educational portal and educational videos resource Jove and YOUtube
  
  
• Audiovisual material
  
  
• Educational visits

Office hours

See the website of Albamaria Parmeggiani