This course is the first of three in Wool Technology. Wool Measurement and Technology and Wool Technology Practical Workshop are also available now.
Overview
Syllabus
- Identify the key structures and cell types of mammalian skin, the wool follicle and accessory glands comparing how these differ between sheep breeds based on their main use (wool or meat).
- Describe the main functions and roles of key structures and cells in sheep wool production and the steps of initiation and development of the sheep wool follicle and reflect on the effect of nutrition on wool follicle development in utero and the importance of this knowledge to the Australian wool producer.
- Identify and describe follicle cell morphology and blood supply attributes that impact wool production in sheep. Outline the steps of the hair cycle and gene signalling pathways involved in wool growth. List and describe the hormones that affect wool growth.
- Outline the ultrastructure of the wool fibre describing the chemical composition of cells composing the wool fibre and explain how the chemical composition and physical structure affect the wool biology and fibre properties, using current theoretical and technical knowledge.
- Outline the factors that affect wool growth of sheep and explain how these affect wool quantity or quality and outline the methods used in wool and follicle kinetics in Australian wool industry and globally in wool research.
- Explain the wool attributes that are measured to determine wool value, processing ability and performance, linking these to wool structure.
- Describe some of the new technologies and products being produced from wool globally and reflect on how wool biology and properties (including chemical composition and physical structure) contribute to wool being the fibre chosen in new technologies and product.
Taught by
University of New England
