BZ2410:03
Adaptations to the Environment
Cairns
Prerequisites: BZ1001 (BT1001 or ZL1003) (CH1001 or BM1000) or permission of HOS
26 lectures, 30 hours practicals, 3 days fieldwork. Second semester.
Staff: Dr P Franks, Dr A Krockenberger.
Provides a basic overview of the interactions between organisms and their physical environment; examples of ecophysiology of selected organisms; interrelationship between physiological functions and ecology and distribution of plants and animals.
Major topics: physiology of growth, reproduction and storage; adaptations to special environments; water requirements and water conservation; physiology of temperature regulation in conditions of heat and cold; responses to nutrient supply and light availability.
Learning Objectives:
- to introduce students to mechanisms and processes used by organisms to tolerate and optimise constraints imposed by the physical environment;
- to appreciate the important environmental parameters that influence organisms;
- to appreciate the major adaptive responses of organisms to different environments.
Assessment by theory examination (60%); laboratory and field reports (40%).
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