Syllabus (ZOOLOGY)

Course Type: MAJ-12

Semester: 7

Course Code: BZOOMAJ12C

Course Title: Chordate structure & function

(L-P-Tu): 4-2-0

Credit: 6

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective:

Learning Outcome: Course Outcome: After completion of the course students will gain knowledge about the diversity, morphology, basic anatomy, and physiology of the different groups of chordates which will help them to understand the animal world and the further studies tha

Chordate structure & function

Theory=4 credits

Chordate structure & function

Course Objective: The biology of chordates provides awareness and understanding about the fundamental scientific concepts that reflects upon the concepts of how science of the natural world works. As John A. Moore put it, science is the “way of knowing”. The comparative anatomy of vertebrates provides comparison between the organisms of the living world. The skeleton system of animals relies upon the basic anatomy while evolution of vertebrates deals with the progression and development of a complicated interrelated system of organs and their functions. The anatomy of vertebrates gives a strong example of how the evolution of an integrated organism works. From this section of the lesson, students will learn about the exciting journey of vertebrates and how evolution has shaped them to fit the demands of their surroundings.

Syllabus:

Integumentary System

Structure, function and derivatives of integument in birds and mammals

Skeletal System

Overview of axial and appendicular skeleton, Visceral arches, Vertebrate jaw suspension

Digestive System

Comparative anatomy of stomach, Ruminant stomach in Mammals, dentition in mammals

Respiratory System

Respiratory organs in fish, amphibian, birds and mammals, Accessory respiratory organ

Circulatory System

General plan of circulation, Comparative account of heart and aortic arches

Urinogenital System

Succession of kidney, Evolution of urinogenital ducts

Nervous System

Comparative account of brain, Cranial nerves in mammals

Sense Organs

Classification of receptors, Brief account of auditory receptors in vertebrate

Specialized features

Migration in Fish and parental care in fish and amphibia

Swim bladder in fishes.

Poison apparatus and biting mechanism in snakes.

Migration in bird, principles and aerodynamics of birds

Adaptive radiation in mammals with reference to locomotor appendages

Echolocation in chiropterans and cetaceans

Thermal biology of endotherms

Osmoregulation in aquatic vertebrates

Practical 2 credits

1. Dissection of brain and pituitary of Tilapia
2. Power point presentation on study of habit, habitat or behaviour of any one animal by student – for internal assessment only
3. Study of placoid, cycloid and ctenoid scales through permanent slides/photographs
4. Study of disarticulated skeleton of Toad, Pigeon and Guineapig
5. Identification of mammalian skulls: One herbivorous (Guineapig) and one carnivorous (Dog) animal

Reading References:

Reference Books

1. Young, J. Z. (2004). The Life of Vertebrates. III Edition. Oxford university press.
2. Pough H. Vertebrate life, VIII Edition, Pearson International.
3. Darlington P.J. The Geographical Distribution of Animals, R.E. Krieger Pub Co.
4. Hall B.K. and Hallgrimsson B. (2008). Strickberger’s Evolution. IV Edition. Jones and Bartlett Publishers Inc.
5. Parker, T. J. &Haswell, W. (1972). Text Book of Zoology , Volume II: Marshall and Willam (Eds.) 7th Ed. Macmillan Press,London.
6. Kardong, K. V. (2002). Vertebrates: Comparative anatomy, function evolution. Tata McGraw Hill.
7. Kent, G. C. & Carr, R. K. (2001). Comparative anatomy of the Vertebrates. 9th Ed.
8. McGraw Hill.
9. Nelson, J.S., (2006) : Fishes of the World, 4th Edn., Wiley.
10. Romer, A. S. & Parsons, T. S. (1986). The vertebrate body. 6th Ed. Saunders College Publishing.
11. Jordan, E.L. &Verma, P.S. (2003). Chordate Zoology. S. Chand & Company Ltd. New Delhi.
12. Sinha, K. S., Adhikari, S., Ganguly, B. B. &BharatiGoswami, B. D. (2001). Biology of Animals. Vol. II. New Central Book Agency (p) Ltd.