General Physiology II
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 143 pages
- 15 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 150 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of BIO306, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
BIO306 · UNIT 1 OSMOREGULATION AND OSMOTIC RESPONSE IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
There are three aspects to the assessment of this course. The first one is the self-assessment exercises. The second is the tutor- marked assignments and the third is the written examination to be taken at the end of the course.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the processes of osmoregulation and excretion in diverse animal groups.
- Describe the structure and function of excretory organs in invertebrates and vertebrates.
- Compare and contrast transport systems in plants and animals.
- Explain the mechanisms of nervous and endocrine coordination.
- Describe the principles of homeostasis and feedback mechanisms.
- Analyze plant-water relations and the factors affecting water potential.
What it prepares you for
- Zoologist
- Environmental Scientist
- Physiologist
- Research Biologist
- Science Teacher
- Environmental Conservation
- Agriculture
- Pharmaceutical Research
- Healthcare
- Education
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Excretory Mechanism
Unit 3: The Vertebrate Kidney
Understanding the complex filtration and reabsorption processes within the nephron requires a strong foundation in anatomy and physiology.
- Module 4: Coordination in Animals
Unit 1: Nervous Coordination in Animals
Requires understanding of electrochemical gradients and membrane potentials, which can be challenging for students without a strong background in chemistry and physics.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Osmoregulation in Animals
Unit 1: Osmoregulation and Osmotic Response in the Marine Environment · 2 hours
Define osmoregulation and its importance.. Explain osmosis, osmotic concentration, osmoconformers, and osmoregulators.. Describe osmoregulation in marine invertebrates and vertebrates..
- Week 2Module 1: Osmoregulation in Animals
Unit 2: Osmotic Response in the Freshwater Environment · 2 hours
Describe osmotic challenges in freshwater environments.. Explain osmotic responses of freshwater invertebrates and vertebrates.. Compare osmoregulation in marine vs. freshwater animals..
- Week 3Module 1: Osmoregulation in Animals
Unit 3: Osmotic Response in the Terrestrial Environment · 2 hours
Identify factors affecting evaporative water loss in terrestrial animals.. Describe how terrestrial animals overcome water loss.. Explain osmotic responses in terrestrial mammals..
- Week 4Module 2: Excretory Mechanism
Unit 1: Excretion and Excretory Products in Plants and Animals · 2 hours
Define excretion and list excretory products in animals.. Describe excretion in plants.. Explain patterns of excretion in animals..
- Week 5Module 2: Excretory Mechanism
Unit 2: Excretion in Invertebrates · 2 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 6Module 2: Excretory Mechanism
Unit 3: The Vertebrate Kidney · 2 hours
Explain nephrogenesis and kidney development.. Identify parts of the mammalian excretory system.. Describe the structure and function of the nephron..
- Week 7Module 3: Transport Systems
Unit 1: Transport System in Plants · 2 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 8Module 3: Transport Systems
Unit 2: Transport System in Animals · 2 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 9Module 3: Transport Systems
Unit 3: The Cardiovascular System · 2 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 10Module 4: Coordination in Animals
Unit 1: Nervous Coordination in Animals · 2 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 11Module 4: Coordination in Animals
Unit 2: Endocrine Coordination In Animals · 2 hours
Distinguish between exocrine and endocrine glands.. Identify endocrine glands and their hormones.. Explain hormone nature, function, and feedback mechanisms..
- Week 12Module 4: Coordination in Animals
Unit 3: Homeostasis · 2 hours
Explain homeostasis with examples.. State and explain the principles of homeostasis.. Describe organs used for homeostasis and their functions..
- Week 13Module 5: Plant-Water Relations
Unit 1: Diffusion and Osmosis · 2 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 hours
Describe the mechanisms of water absorption in plants.. Explain the term ascent of sap.. Describe the mechanism of absorption of mineral salt..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed diagrams of excretory and circulatory systems, labeling key components and processes.
- Develop concept maps linking osmoregulation strategies to specific animal habitats (marine, freshwater, terrestrial).
- Practice explaining the roles of hormones in maintaining homeostasis, focusing on feedback loops.
- Review the mechanisms of water and mineral absorption in plants, emphasizing the importance of root structure.
- Compare and contrast nervous and endocrine coordination, highlighting their strengths and limitations.
- Focus on understanding the relationships between water potential, osmotic pressure, and turgor pressure in plant cells.
Questions students ask about this course
What is BIO306 about?
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.
How many units does BIO306 have?
BIO306, General Physiology II, has 15 units across 5 modules, over 143 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is BIO306?
BIO306 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is BIO306 hard?
BIO306 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.
How long does BIO306 take to study?
About 150 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is BIO306 assessed?
BIO306 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with BIO306?
Zoologist, Environmental Scientist, Physiologist, Research Biologist and Science Teacher.