Animal Physiology

Spring, 1994

Bi 377, Final Exam

Instructions:

1) After receiving the exam, you are free to work on the answers in any classroom in Boyd Hall.

2) You may not use any information other than what you have stored in your brain (no notes, books, etc.)

3) You have 2.5 hours to complete this examination. Remember that you have agreed not to discuss this examination with anyone else in the class until all have taken it.

4) Please sign below if you agree to the above policies.

GOOD LUCK! AND HAVE AN EXCELLENT SUMMER!

Honor Statement: I have read the above instructions and agree to them. I promise to neither give nor receive any help on this examination.

Signed,

Please limit your answers to the space provided beneath each answer.

• Feel free to use labeled diagrams (i.e. - graphs, drawings) to enhance your answers.

• Write clearly and concisely.

• Use complete sentences unless otherwise directed.

Short Answer. (40 points total) The number of points that each question is worth follows the questions in parentheses. These questions can generally be answered in 3-5 sentences or a labeled diagram and 2-3 sentences.

1) Support or refute the following statement: the circulatory systems of all invertebrates is less efficient than that of vertebrates. (6)

2) Describe in several sentences how silverfish or termites digest cellulose. (8)

3) Compare/contrast how large vs. small mammals survive cold winters (thermoregulate). (8)

4) List several physiological responses that diving animals undergo while diving and briefly explain the benefit of each in terms of allowing these species to dive longer (10)

5) Beaver and whales are both mammals which spend much of their life in and around water and yet they face much different iono-regulatory problems. Describe these "problems" and the adaptive mechanisms (and tissues) that these two species have evolved over evolutionary time (8)

6) Please fill out the "Peer Evaluation Form" attached to the last page of this exam. You may take extra time to complete this if you need it.

7) Please return the reprints that you borrowed and the folder in which they came with your ASR paper; I will hold off grading those papers until I receive all reprints.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Essay Questions: (60 points total) Answer the following question in essay format (a paragraph or two with topic sentences followed by information supporting the topic sentence). You may also use the back side of this sheet of paper. Diagrams can be used to support statements.

1) Draw and label a neural cell membrane and then describe (in written form as above) how this structure allows for neuronal excitability. (20)

2) Circadian rhythms have been found in all living organisms that have been studied sufficiently. First, describe why these rhythms are thought to be adaptive to animals (5). List and describe the important tissues in vertebrates that are thought to be circadian clocks and briefly describe the evidence that supports the idea that these tissues are clocks (15)

3) Sensory systems allow organisms to orient in the environment. Describe how an vertebrate eye or vertebrate "ear" (choose one) allows these organisms to perceive environmental information. Be sure to a) discuss the physiology of the sensory cells and b) how the cells work together (process information) to provide the brain with this important information. (20)