BBIO309
Animal and Plant Physiology 3: Response, Reproduction and Development

ECTS Value: 5 ECTS

Contact Hours: 25

Self Study Hours: 60

Assessment Hours: 40

 

Overall Objectives and Outcomes

This module is the third of three modules tackling animal (mostly human) and plant (exclusively angiosperm) anatomy and the relationship with physiology, mode of life and habitat. This module will focus on understanding life mechanisms pertaining to the human nervous system and sensory physiology, the human endocrine system, plant responses, the human reproductive system including development and growth and angiosperm reproduction including germination and development. 

Apart from covering a fundamental, comprehensive and in-depth body of knowledge about the above-mentioned topics, this module will seek to make links with everyday-life biology as well as the context of the Maltese Islands wherever applicable.

The depth of knowledge, concepts, competencies and processes covered and assessed by this module, will be more than adequate so as to ensure that course participants are not only ready to plan lessons covering content and processes about these topics with their prospective students at secondary and post-secondary level, but also to be able to answer impromptu higher-order questions about biological phenomena as they may arise in class.

Sub-topics to be tackled will include:

  1. Major features and functions of the human nervous system.
  2. Sensory physiology.
  3. Major features and functions of the human endocrine system.
  4. Plant responses and growth.
  5. An introduction to asexual and sexual reproduction.
  6. Major features and functions of the human reproductive system.
  7. Human development and growth.
  8. Major features and function of the angiosperm reproductive organs.
  9. Angiosperm germination and development.

By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:

Competences

  • a)Illustrate the anatomy of the human nervous system, the human endocrine system, plant responsive tissues, the human reproductive system and the angiosperm reproductive organs and cycle including seed formation;
  • b)Associate structural adaptations of the human nervous system, the human endocrine system, plant responsive tissues, the human reproductive system and the angiosperm reproductive organs and cycle including seed formation to the respective life form’s physiology, mode of life and habitat;
  • c)Confidently convey knowledge, concepts and scientific processes about the human nervous system endocrine system, and reproductive system to students at secondary or post-secondary educational level;
  • d)Design experiments on how organisms adapt to environmental changes by integrating knowledge of response mechanisms, reproduction, and development;
  • e)Analyse reproductive strategies and developmental processes in both plants and animals, using both theoretical and practical frameworks;
  • f)Critically engage in animal and plant physiology literature;
  • g)Produce detailed resources and assessments that facilitate student learning of physiological systems in plants and animals.
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Knowledge

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  • a)Describe the anatomy and physiology of the human nervous system, the human endocrine system especially for glucose regulation and reproductive hormones, plant responsive tissues, the human reproductive system and the angiosperm reproductive organs and cycle including seed formation and germination;
  • b)Outline the mechanisms by which animals and plants respond to environmental stimuli, focusing on sensory systems and hormone regulation;
  • c)Explain the stages of reproductive development in animals and plants, including mechanisms like fertilisation, embryonic development, and growth regulation;
  • d)Differentiate between assessment types suitable for evaluating knowledge of reproduction.
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Skills

  • a)Organise information from textbooks, journals, videos and online sources while building on prior learning;
  • b)Use research and investigative observations to make inferences about biological processes accordingly;
  • c)Draw annotated diagrams depicting the human nervous system, the human endocrine system, plant responsive tissues, the human reproductive system and the angiosperm reproductive organs and cycle including seed formation;
  • d)Investigate the physiological responses of plants and animals to environmental stimuli, documenting and their adaptive mechanisms;
  • e)Conduct experiments on fertilization, growth, and developmental stages;
  • f)Collaborate effectively within a group, wherever the number allows for effective group work;
  • g)Design instructional sessions and assessments to develop student understanding of comparative physiology and system functions.
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Assessment Methods

This module will be assessed through: Assignment, Presentation, Learning Tasks, Laboratory Practical Report

Suggested Readings

Core Reading List

  1. Fox S.I., (2021), Human Physiology, 16th Edition, McGraw-Hill.
  2. Taiz L. & Zeiger E., (2022), Plant Physiology, 7th Edition, Sinauer Associates.

Supplementary Reading List

  1. Audesirk T., Audesirk G., & Byers B.E., (2020), Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology 12th Edition, Pearson.
  2. Mauseth J. D., (2019), Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology: An Introduction to Plant Biology , 7th Edition, Jones and Bartlett Learning
  3. Randall D., Burggren, W. & French, K., (2001), Eckert Animal Physiology – Mechanisms and Adaptations, 5th edition, W.H. Freeman.
  4. Raven P.H, Evert R.F. & Eichhorn S.E., (2012), Biology of Plants, 8th Edition, W. H. Freeman.

 

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