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The Open University

Animals at the extremes: polar biology

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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The extreme challenges of life in the polar regions require the animals who make their habitat there to make many adaptations. This free course, Animals at the extremes: polar biology, explores the polar climate and how animals like reindeer, polar bears, penguins, sea life and even humans manage to survive there. It looks at the adaptations to physiological proceses, the environmental effects on diet, activity and fecundity, and contrasts the strategies of aquatic and land-based animals in surviving in this extreme habitat.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Polar biology
  • 1 Polar biology
  • 1.1 Preamble
  • 1.2 The polar environment
  • 2 Environmental regulation of physiological processes
  • 2 Environmental regulation of physiological processes
  • 2.1 Nutrient budgeting
  • 2.2 Migration for breeding
  • 2.3 Environmental regulation of breeding
  • 2.4 Variable fecundity
  • 2.4.1 Summary of Sections 1 and 2
  • 3 Natural feasting and fasting
  • 3 Natural feasting and fasting
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Penguins
  • 3.3 Bears
  • 3.3.1 Dormancy in black and brown bears
  • 3.4 Bears (continued)
  • 3.4.1 Fasting in polar bears
  • 3.5 The structure of adipose tissue
  • 3.5.1 Summary of Section 3
  • 4 Thermal insulation
  • 4 Thermal insulation
  • 4.1 Insulation in terrestrial endotherms
  • 4.2 Insulation in aquatic endotherms
  • 4.3 Humans in polar regions
  • 4.3.1 Summary of Section 4
  • 5 Polar ectotherms
  • 5 Polar ectotherms
  • 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.2 Passive properties
  • 5.2.1 Blood pigments
  • 5.3 Metabolism
  • 5.3.1 Muscles
  • 5.4 Fatty acids as indicators of diet
  • 5.4.1 Summary of Section 5
  • 6 Conclusion
  • 6 Conclusion
  • Course questions
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

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5 rating at OpenLearn based on 9 ratings

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