ZOOL13014 Aquatic Physiology

There is a wide range of different types of aquatic environments and most of the major taxa have representatives living in aquatic environments. This course considers the physiological functioning of these aquatic animals. The course focuses on the physiological responses of animals to the challenges of living in particular environments. General topics include nerve and muscle function, gas exchange, internal circulation, growth, metabolism, osmotic regulation, nitrogen excretion, hormones and reproduction. The effects of environmental parameters such as temperature, oxygen availability, pressure, salinity and day-length are considered.