Course Details

Comparative vertebrate anatomy

MF0765

Course
Comparative vertebrate anatomy
Code
MF0765
Academic Year
2024/2025
Curriculum Year
2024/2025
Degree Programme
BIOLOGY
Curriculum
000 - GENERICO
Course coordinator
-
Credits
3
Lecture Hours
24
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
BIO/06 - Comparative Anatomy and Citology
Course Type
Single-subject learning activity
Course Delivery
OPZ - Opzionale
Year
1
Teaching period
Primo Semestre
Campus
ALESSANDRIA
Teaching language
Italian
Course Contents
Anatomy, function and evolution of systems in the Vertebrates.
Reference Texts
Embriologia, Barbieri Carinci (Casa Editrice Ambrosiana) - Biologia dello Sviluppo , Gilbert (Zanichelli) - Anatomia Comparata, V. Stingo (edi-Ermes)
-Il vertebrato che è in noi. Anatomia comparata ed evoluzione del corpo umano. Vincenzo Caputo Barucchi(UTET)
Learning Outcomes
Students will be introduced to the language of anatomy, to the methods of morphofunctional analysis, and to the evolutionary history of organ systems in vertebrates. As we will proceed in the study of an organ or system/apparatus we will analyze both the structure of the adult organ and its developmental origin in order to provide a reconstructive morphological method of evolutionary relationships among vertebrate groups.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of cytology, histology, classification of Vertebrats
Teaching Methods
Lectures with Power Point projection. The slides used will be available to students on DIR pages.
Additional Information
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.
Assessment Methods
Oral exam, with evaluation out of thirty (and possible honors). The exam includes single answers to 3/4 questions concerning general and specific subjects of the discipline
Detailed Syllabus
Integumentary system: Skin and its appendages. Skeletal system: axial and appendicular skeleton, skull. Pectoral and pelvic girdle. Respiratory system: gills, lungs, swim bladder in fish. Circulatory system: arterial and venous circulation. Excretory system; structure and evolution of the nephron. Gonad development. Spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Endocrine system: Hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Pituitary, endocrine pancreas, epiphysis, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal. Nervous system: spinal cord and spinal nerves. Evolution of the brain. Cerebellum. Mesencephalon and evolution of the optical pathways. Diencephalon. Sensory organs.
Expected Learning Outcomes
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING - know the structure and functions of animal cells and tissues; - have understood the characteristics common to all vertebrates and the specific characteristics of the main subgroups; know the morphological organization and development of single organs/systems of vertebrates
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING - Ability to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired thanks to the course with those derived from other teachings COMMUNICATION SKILLS - Use appropriate scientific language in oral and written communication - Demonstrate ability to recognize essential information and present it
MAKING JUDGMENTS - Being able to interpret the different morphological specializations in terms of functions performed. LEARNING SKILLS Being able to describe scientific topics concerning comparative anatomy. This ability will be developed through the active involvement of students through oral discussions of topics related to the course.
Last update:09-09-2026 00:14:31