Unit ZOOLOGY
- Course
- Biological sciences
- Study-unit Code
- GP004016
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Enzo Goretti
- Teachers
-
- Enzo Goretti
- Hours
- 56 ore - Enzo Goretti
- CFU
- 8
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2025
- Offered
- 2025/26
- Learning activities
- Base
- Area
- Discipline biologiche
- Sector
- BIO/05
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
Zoology as the scientific study of animals. The scientific method. Chracteristics of the living systems. Origin of life. Appearance of the Eukaryotes. Introduction to Protozoa. Evolution. Homology and analogy. Species concept. Modes of speciation. Animal morphofunctional organization for activity of life: protection, support, movement, excretion, osmotic regulation, thermoregulation, circulation, respiration, nutrition, nervous and chemical coordination, reproduction. Architectural pattern of animals: morphogenetic and developmental parameters, animal symmetry, body cavities, metamerism. Radiata and Bilateria. Protostomes and Deuterostomes. Classification and phylogeny. Taxonomic categories: from Species to Phylum. Major animal phyla: Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, Chordata.- Reference texts
- 2 volumes: FONDAMENTI DI ZOOLOGIA 18th edition + DIVERSITA’ ANIMALE 18th edition, Hickman C.P. et al. Publisher, McGraw-Hill. -one volume: ZOOLOGIA 18th edition (same chapters and content of the 2 separate volumes), Hickman C.P. et al. Publisher, McGraw-Hill.- Educational objectives
This course aims: 1) to enlight the organization plan (bauplan) of animals, the evolution fo the animal kindom from the hypothesis on the origin of life, the onset of pluricellularity and the discussion of the evolution theories. 2) the vital functions of animals 3) to provide the basic animal systematics- Prerequisites
none- Teaching methods
Theoretical lessons.- Other information
Lessons are optional but strongly advised- Learning verification modality
Tests in progress. oral exam- Extended program
- Introduction to Zoology. Zoology as the scientific study of animals. The scientific method. - Basic properties of matter and life: chracteristics of the living systems. -Origin of life: chemical and organic evolution; origin of living systems. Prokariotes. The age of Cyanobacteria. Appearance of the Eukaryotes. Introduction to Protozoa. - Evolution: first scientific explanations of evolution before Darwin’s theory; Darwinism; evidences for evolution; modern Darwinism: the syntetic theory of evolution; microevolution; genetic equilibrium (principle of Hardy-Weinberg); natural selection and stochastic evolutionary force; homology and analogy; Species concept; modes of speciation; adaptive radiation; gradualistic model and punctuated equilibrium model of evolution; macroevolution. - Morphofunctional organization of animals. Levels of organization of the animal body: tissues, organs and systems. Activity of life: protection, support and movement (integumentary system, skeletal system, muscolar system); excretion (excretory system) and osmotic regulation; thermoregulation; circulation (circulatory system); respiration (respiratory system); nutrition and feeding mechanisms (alimentary system); coordination (nervous system and sense organs; endocrine system); reproduction (reproductive system). - Architectural pattern of animals: morphogenetic and developmental parameters, animal symmetry, body cavities; formation of coelom; functional and evolutionary significance of the body cavity; metamerism. - The Animal kingdom. Radiata and Bilateria. Protostomes and Deuterostomes. Animal diversity: Classification and phylogeny. Taxonomic categories: from Species to Phylum. Major animal phyla: Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda (Chelicerata-Arachnida; Mandibulata-Crustacea and Insecta). Echinodermata, Chordata.- Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
Life on Earth