Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Ecophysiology

• Unit Code

  SCI3114

• Year

  2017

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr Annette Erika KOENDERS

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Description

Ecological conditions are strong evolutionary drivers of physiological mechanisms required for survival and persistence of plants and animals. Through a comparative approach to physiology students will explore the diverse ways in which organisms have adapted to their environment. Note that practical activities in this unit include use of animals, animal products and/or tissues. Alternative activities are available for students with conscientious objection. All activities comply with Animal Welfare legislation and NHMRC Guidelines and, where appropriate, are approved by the ECU Animal Ethics Committee.

Prerequisite Rule

Must have passed SCI2116

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Explain comparative adaptations in animals and plants to acquire and use nutrients and other resources within their environment.
2. Compare and contrast physiological responses to environmental temperature regimes in animals and plants.
3. Compare and contrast the physiological mechanisms used by plants and animals to harness and use energy in a variety of ecological settings.
4. Discuss comparative adaptations in plants and animals to marine, estuarine, freshwater and terrestrial environments.
5. Describe hormonal regulation of growth and development in plants and animals and explain its relationship to the environment.
6. Discuss important organismal interactions.
7. Gather, analyse and present physiological data using appropriate methods in small student groups.

Unit Content

1. Mineral nutrition and water relations in plants; effects of radiation and temperature; scaling of gas exchange and energy balance.
2. Ecological context of plant photosynthesis, respiration and translocation in plants.
3. Ecological context of feeding strategies, digestion and respiration and locomotion in aquatic, terrestrial and aerial environments in animals; circulatory and respiratory systems in animals.
4. Ion and water balance with respect to environment and diet selection in animals: iono- and osmoregulation, excretion, aestivation.
5. Thermal physiology in animals: thermoregulation, torpor and hibernation.
6. Environmental influences and adaptations in life cycles and growth.
7. Hormonal (and neural) control mechanisms, growth regulation, development and responses to environmental cues.
8. Symbiotic associations; allelopathy and defence; responses to pathogens.
9. Conducting, analysing and reporting physiological experiments.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, seminars and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Core Reading(s)

• (2008). Plant physiological ecology. (2nd ed.). New York NY: Springer.
• Moyes, C. D., & Schulte, P. M. (2008). Principles of animal physiology . (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson/Benjamin Cummings.

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