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BIO306Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

General Physiology II

This course explores the functions of living systems, focusing on how organisms, organ systems, organs, and cells perform chemical and physical functions. It covers osmotic regulation in animals across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments, as well as excretory mechanisms in plants and animals. The course also delves into transport systems, coordination in animals, and plant-water relations, providing a comprehensive understanding of general physiology.

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150h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
OsmoregulationExcretionTransport SystemsCoordinationPlant-Water Relations

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Osmoregulation in Marine, Freshwater, and Terrestrial Animals

2

Excretion and Excretory Products in Plants and Animals

3

Invertebrate and Vertebrate Kidney Function

4

Transport Systems in Plants and Animals

5

Nervous and Endocrine Coordination

6

Homeostasis and Feedback Mechanisms

7

Plant-Water Relations: Diffusion, Osmosis, and Water Potential

Total Topics7 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Zoologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Scientist

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Physiologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Biologist

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Science Teacher

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Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Environmental ConservationAgriculturePharmaceutical ResearchHealthcareEducation

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Osmoregulation in Animals

2h

Unit 1: Osmoregulation and Osmotic Response in the Marine Environment

2 study hours
  • •Define osmoregulation and its importance.
  • •Explain osmosis, osmotic concentration, osmoconformers, and osmoregulators.
  • •Describe osmoregulation in marine invertebrates and vertebrates.
Week
2

Module 1: Osmoregulation in Animals

2h

Unit 2: Osmotic Response in the Freshwater Environment

2 study hours
  • •Describe osmotic challenges in freshwater environments.
  • •Explain osmotic responses of freshwater invertebrates and vertebrates.
  • •Compare osmoregulation in marine vs. freshwater animals.
Week
3

Module 1: Osmoregulation in Animals

2h

Unit 3: Osmotic Response in the Terrestrial Environment

2 study hours
  • •Identify factors affecting evaporative water loss in terrestrial animals.
  • •Describe how terrestrial animals overcome water loss.
  • •Explain osmotic responses in terrestrial mammals.
Week
4

Module 2: Excretory Mechanism

2h

Unit 1: Excretion and Excretory Products in Plants and Animals

2 study hours
  • •Define excretion and list excretory products in animals.
  • •Describe excretion in plants.
  • •Explain patterns of excretion in animals.
Week
5

Module 2: Excretory Mechanism

2h

Unit 2: Excretion in Invertebrates

2 study hours
  • •Define excretory organ and explain its function.
  • •Describe excretion in protozoans, coelenterates, platyhelminthes, annelids, molluscs and arthropods.
  • •Explain the function of Malpighian tubules.
Week
6

Module 2: Excretory Mechanism

2h

Unit 3: The Vertebrate Kidney

2 study hours
  • •Explain nephrogenesis and kidney development.
  • •Identify parts of the mammalian excretory system.
  • •Describe the structure and function of the nephron.
Week
7

Module 3: Transport Systems

2h

Unit 1: Transport System in Plants

2 study hours
  • •Explain the need for transport systems in plants.
  • •Describe mechanisms for molecule movement: diffusion, osmosis, active transport.
  • •Explain xylem and phloem structure and function.
Week
8

Module 3: Transport Systems

2h

Unit 2: Transport System in Animals

2 study hours
  • •Highlight the main functions of the circulatory system.
  • •Describe open and closed circulation in animals.
  • •Identify the major components of blood and their functions.
Week
9

Module 3: Transport Systems

2h

Unit 3: The Cardiovascular System

2 study hours
  • •Describe the structure and function of arteries, veins, and capillaries.
  • •Compare heart structure and blood circulation in fish, amphibians, and mammals.
  • •Explain the cardiac cycle.
Week
10

Module 4: Coordination in Animals

2h

Unit 1: Nervous Coordination in Animals

2 study hours
  • •Describe the functions and subdivisions of the nervous system.
  • •Explain the structure of a neuron and nerve impulse conduction.
  • •Define reflex action and its components.
Week
11

Module 4: Coordination in Animals

2h

Unit 2: Endocrine Coordination In Animals

2 study hours
  • •Distinguish between exocrine and endocrine glands.
  • •Identify endocrine glands and their hormones.
  • •Explain hormone nature, function, and feedback mechanisms.
Week
12

Module 4: Coordination in Animals

2h

Unit 3: Homeostasis

2 study hours
  • •Explain homeostasis with examples.
  • •State and explain the principles of homeostasis.
  • •Describe organs used for homeostasis and their functions.
Week
13

Module 5: Plant-Water Relations

4h

Unit 1: Diffusion and Osmosis

2 study hours
  • •Differentiate between solute and water potential.
  • •Define turgor pressure, wall pressure, and diffusion pressure deficit.
  • •Highlight the significance of turgor pressure and imbibition.

Unit 3: Absorption of Water and Minerals

2 study hours
  • •Describe the mechanisms of water absorption in plants.
  • •Explain the term ascent of sap.
  • •Describe the mechanism of absorption of mineral salt.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed diagrams of excretory and circulatory systems, labeling key components and processes.

2

Develop concept maps linking osmoregulation strategies to specific animal habitats (marine, freshwater, terrestrial).

3

Practice explaining the roles of hormones in maintaining homeostasis, focusing on feedback loops.

4

Review the mechanisms of water and mineral absorption in plants, emphasizing the importance of root structure.

5

Compare and contrast nervous and endocrine coordination, highlighting their strengths and limitations.

6

Focus on understanding the relationships between water potential, osmotic pressure, and turgor pressure in plant cells.

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