95978 - Physiology of Animal Metabolism and Stress

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students: 1. know the physiological basis of animal metabolism and stress; 2. have gained sufficent knowledge to understand pathologycal alteration of animals.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated course in "MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL AND PATHOLOGICAL BASIS OF ANIMAL METABOLISM AND STRESS"

MODULE 1 – Prof. Chiara Bernardini

The syllabus is structured as follows:

Lectures:

• Physiology and cellular function mechanisms related to stress response: the main functional characteristics of eukaryotic cells will be briefly reviewed in order to provide the basis for the development of subsequent lectures (6h);
• Physiology of the digestive system: main digestive functions with particular focus on stress response(6h);
• Muscle physiology: contractile activity and nervous control with particular focus on stress response (4h)

 

 Laboratory/Practical Sessions:

• Simulation of cellular physiology laboratory: the importance of in vitro study in animal farm (4h);

• Journal club (student’s presentations of selected papers and plenary discussion; (8h)

 

 MODULE 2 – Prof. Domenico Ventrella

• The syllabus is structured as follows:

  Lectures:

• Stressors classification and the theory of adaptive stress response (2h);
• Physiology of the endocrine system. Hormones: secretion, function and relationship with metabolism and reproduction (4h);
• Physiology of the autonomic nervous system. The role of its sympathetic branch in the adaptive stress response (4h);
• Physiology of immunity and reproduction in relation to the stress response (4h);
• Physiology of stress in fish (2h).

Laboratory/Practical Sessions:

• Journal club (student’s presentations of selected papers and plenary discussion; 6h);
• Seminar of laboratory methodology to quantify stress biomarkers (2h);
• ELISA kit to quantify cortisol in different animal matrices (4h).

Readings/Bibliography

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

Supplementary reading:

• Klein G. B. Cunningham's Textbook of Veterinary Physiology, Elsevier ed. (2019).
• Sjaastad, Sand, Hove. Domestic animals physiology. Ed. It. a cura di C. Tamanini. CEA (2013)

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures, aided by videos, and practical/laboratory sessions. Students will be asked to work in groups during the journal clubs as well as during the lab work.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this course requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 via e-learning, and Module 3 on health and safety training in study environments. Information about the schedule and access to Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website.

Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods

The assessment for the Integrated Course “MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL AND PATHOLOGICAL BASIS OF ANIMAL METABOLISM AND STRESS” consists of a written exam made of:

• 40 multiple-choice questions (10 questions each 3CFU: 10 for anatomy, 10 for pathology, and 20 for physiology);
• 2 transversal open questions.

For the multiple-choice questions, each correct answer will earn 1 point; no points will be subtracted in case of wrong answers or unanswered questions. A minimum score of 24/40 is required to pass this section of the exam.

For the transversal open questions, each correct answer will earn 20 points. A minimum score of 24/40 is required to pass this section of the exam.

No supplementary materials or electronic devices (e.g., calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) may be used during the exam, except for those explicitly allowed by the instructor.

The exam is considered passed only if both parts are successfully completed. The final grade is determined by the average of the grades from the multiple-choice and the transversal open questions, expressed out of 30. A minimum final grade of 18/30 is required.

The grid for vote allocation is as follows:

• scoring 24: grading 18
• scoring 25: grading 19
• scoring 26: grading 20
• scoring 27: grading 21
• scoring 28: grading 22
• scoring 29: grading 23
• scoring 30: grading 24
• scoring 31: grading 25
• scoring 32: grading 26
• scoring 33-34: grading 27
• scoring 35-36: grading 28
• scoring 37-38: grading 29
• scoring 39: grading 30
• scoring 40: grading 30L

Students who will actively participate to laboratory and/or self-employment activities throughout the I.C., will be awarded up to 2 additional points to the grading of the written exam.

Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.

Grades will be published on the AlmaEsami platform (https://almaesami.unibo.it/?lang=en ) within 5 working days of the date of the exam.

Students may reject the final grade one time by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is Domenico Ventrella

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

With regard to the learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Slideshow presentations will be used during frontal lessons, together with videos.

Work group for lab activities, both online and in presence, and for literature analysis and re-elaboration.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

See the website of prof. Chiara Bernardini and prof. Domenico Ventrella

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Bernardini

See the website of Domenico Ventrella