MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
Faculty of Natural Resources Management and Agriculture
Department of Livestock and Wildlife management
Homeostasis (WAP 217)
Module Outline
By Obert Tada
Module description:
The module emphasise the need for physical and physiological mechanisms critical
for the survival and productivity of livestock and wildlife species through sustainable
adaptation to the temporary and permanent surrounding environment.
Continuous Assessment (CA) constitutes 30% of the module and the final
examination contributes 70%.
Prerequisites of the module:
a. Introduction to neuro-muscular physiology & endocrinology (WAP 112)
b. The internal environment and cell physiology (WAP 114)
Resource material:
Eckert R., Randall D. and Augustine G. 1988. Animal physiology. Mechanisms and
Adaptations. 3rd Edition W.H. Freeman and Co. New York. USA
Kusina N and Hamudikuwanda H., Anatomy and Physiology: Module Two.
Zimbabwe Open University. Jongwe Press. Harare. Zim
MODULE UNITS:
1. Homeostasis defined
2. Homeostasis systems
3. Sensory organs
4. Animal Physiology
a. Integumentary
b. Respiratory
c. Cardio-vascular
d. Urinary
5. Environmental influences on animal physiology

Comparative ecological physiology of vertebrate species

Homeostasis of water and metabolites

Thermoregulation

Adaptation and acclimatisation
Assignment One:
Write informative and concise notes on the following:
a. Give a detailed account of how the respiratory system control blood pH.
[10]
b. Conservation of water in vertebrate species
Due date
[10]
06 April 2007
Assignment Two:
The genotypes known to be the best performers in the world are now found almost
everywhere regardless of the acute differences in climate and technology from
their country/region of origin. Explain how the exotic genotypes have adapted to
the tropical environment using named livestock and/or wildlife species.
[30]
Due date
04 May 2007