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Unit of study_
AVBS2005: Animal Energetics and Homeostasis
2025 unit information
Effective metabolic function is critical for animal health and wellbeing. Key concepts include the comparative differences between animals and humans (eg ruminant metabolism), common disruptions in metabolism and endocrine regulation in companion animals, as well as the impact of metabolic dysfunction in animal production systems (eg bovine ketosis and ovine pregnancy toxaemia). This unit of study begins with an introduction to the metabolic processes of cells, tissues and whole animals by examining the structure ie the cytological and histological characteristics, of animal tissues in the physical context of whole animals. An integrated view is explored of the role of hormones in homeostatic control as dynamic metabolic regulators in wellbeing and the consequences of dysregulation. Students will apply knowledge of animal nutrition and animal structure and function to determine the underlying basis of metabolic disease and disorders and, how to alleviate or mitigate the dysfunction. This will be done by utilising an understanding of adaptive metabolism in animals to interpret biochemical data and identify disruptions to metabolism and homeostatic mechanisms. Clinical veterinary medicine examples of disruption to metabolism are used to emphasise normal metabolic processes. Students will develop key skills in microscopy, cytology and histology for broad application in the sciences.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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AVBS100X or BIOL1XXX |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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VETS1032 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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Knowledge and concepts from BIOL1XX7 |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. outline the biochemical basis of animal cellular metabolism as it applies to individual cells, tissues and whole animals, with particular focus on companion and production animals
- LO2. explain the underlying cellular basis of abnormal metabolism or metabolic disease in animals through a thorough understanding of normal metabolic processes
- LO3. interpret biochemical data from biological samples (e.g. analysis of blood and urine or other biological fluids or specimens) to infer metabolic status of an animal and suggest interventions that may facilitate maintenance of homeostasis
- LO4. relate the commonly occurring disturbances to a hormones production, or action, to the effect on internal homeostasis
- LO5. identify cellular/histological structures on stained histological sections of animal tissues and utilizing an understanding of normal histological tissue preparation and artifacts to identify possible histopathology
- LO6. work with colleagues in groups to coordinate the investigation and written reporting of the histological features of a prepared sample.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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