BISC 445 ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY OF ANIMALS Julian Christians (julian_christians@sfu.ca) Office: SSB 8101 Office hours: Monday, 11:30-12:30 TA: Rodrigo Solis Sosa Email: unitec.solis@gmail.com Office hours by appointment www.sfu.ca/biology/courses/bisc445/ www.sfu.ca/lectures/

What is environmental physiology? Physiology is about mechanisms. Environmental physiology is about physiological responses to environmental challenges. Environment = physical, chemical and biotic abiotic

What is environmental physiology? Willmer et al. 2005; Fig. 5.20 Willmer et al. 2005; Fig. 5.16

Why study environmental physiology? Evolution of health and disease Medicine Physiology Evolution Environmental physiology Toxicology Response to environmental change Ecology

Course outline Four general principles Evolutionary processes Oxygen Temperature Water and ions Deep sea Will NOT focus on humans or mammals

Course objectives Proximate causes: How? Ultimate causes: Why? I want you to: Understand four basic physiological principles, and be able to illustrate these with examples, and relate new material to these principles. Be able to distinguish between evolutionary responses (adaptation) and within-individual responses. Understand the importance of modern evolutionary approaches to the study of environmental physiology. Proximate causes: How? Ultimate causes: Why?

Course objectives I want you to be aware of: Mechanisms available for response to environmental challenges (including different responses at different time scales). General mechanisms frequently involved in a variety of responses. Some incredible examples of physiological responses to environmental challenges. A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2010/12/01/science.1197258.full.pdf

Mark distribution Final exam: 40% 2 x Midterm exams: 25% each Tutorial presentation: 10% Exams will be based on tutorial and lecture material.

These PowerPoint slides are NOT lecture notes

Tutorials- what’s the point? To study “primary literature” To practice critical thinking To practice presenting scientific material in a clear, jargon-reduced way. To gain “public speaking” experience in a non-threatening environment. To study other examples that illustrate the “4 general principles” and other material presented in lecture. Make them interesting! YOU are responsible for rescheduling!

Important dates Monday, February 3: Midterm #1 Monday, March 10: Midterm # 2 Tuesday, April 22, 8:30-11:30am: Final exam

Textbooks One copy of each on reserve: Willmer, P., Stone, G., & Johnston, I. 2005. Environmental Physiology of Animals.  Second Edition. Blackwell. ISBN 1405107243. (aka Willmer et al.) Moyes, CD & Schulte, PM 2006. Principles of animal physiology. Pearson Benjamin Cummings. ISBN 0805353518. (aka Moyes and Schulte)

Why are you taking this course? What other courses (Biology or other) have you liked best? Does this course relate to your career/grad school goals? If so, how?