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Lecturer(s)
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Okrouhlík Jan, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Rozsypal Jan, RNDr. Ph.D.
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Gvoždík Lumír, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Content of lectures: 1. Unusual methods for metabolic rate measurement - Properties and application of manometric methods, direct calorimetry, coulometric respirometry and doubly labelled watter technique will be explained 2. Instrument properties & design of a respiration apparatus- Properties of gas analyzers will be explained. This will include oxygen analyzers based on polarographic, fluorescent quenching, fuel-cell, paramagnetic and zirconium cell analyzers, carbon dioxide analyzers based on pH change and absorption in IR, water vapor analyzers based on capacitance change and IR absorption. Further more properties of other instrumentation necessary for metabolic rate measurements will be explained (this includes, flow-meters, gas permeability and solubility of plastics etc.). Students will learn to properly design an apparatus for measurement of respiration in animals. They will learn how to use the strengths of instruments and minimize their weak sides. 3. Oxygen consumption in water - principles, specifics and types of aquatic respirometry will be explained. 4. Oxygen consumption in air breathing organisms - different possible setups of push, pull, and stop-flow respirometry and their advantages and disadvantages will be explained. Which respirometric equation to use and why? 5. Use of thermal camera - Physics behind, use and properties of thermal camera will be explained. Thermal windows in mammals will be shown during the practical part. 6. Freeze tolerance in insects. Principles of freeze avoidance and tolerance, supercooling point and fluidity of membranes will explained. Supercooling point of selected insect will be established during the practical part. Content of practicals: 1. Oxygen consumption in water - Students will be encouraged to bring/suggest an aquatic organism and measure its respiration. 2. Oxygen consumption in air breathing organisms - Students will measure respiration rate of terrestrial organisms during. 3. Use of thermal camera - Surface temperatures of human during rest, exersise and cooling. Identification of heat exchange venues, thermal windows in mammals. 4. Freeze tolerance in insects. Supercooling point of selected insect will be established during the practical part.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Laboratory, Practical training, Group work
- Class attendance
- 68 hours per semester
- Preparation for credit
- 10 hours per semester
- Preparation for exam
- 20 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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This course focuses on understanding and application of some physiological methods in zoology (mainly energetics and thermal biology). Emphasis is put on practical application of theoretical knowledge.
You will learn, which physiological parameters can be used to answer your zoological questions, what these parameters tell you about the animal, how to measure them and how to design an experiment, which will answer your questions.
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Prerequisites
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You will profit much more from this course, if you are familiar with animal physiology (eg. KZO/230). You will also profit if you still remember some high school physics.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Oral examination, Analysis of student's work activities (technical works)
To pass the exam you are required to answer at least 50% of questions correctly and design and build a respirometric system from components.
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Recommended literature
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Lighton, J. R. B. (2019). Measuring Metabolic Rates: A Manual for Scientists. 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press..
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Speakman, J. R. (1997). Doubly labeled water: Theory and Practice. Chapman and Hall..
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Tattersall, G.J. (2016). Infrared thermography: A non-invasive window into thermal physiology. Comparat. Biochem. Physiol. Part A, 202 (2016), pp. 78-98..
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