This specialized course will compare and contrast the physiologic and anatomical adaptations experienced by the different species of marine mammals in contrast to humans. In order to accomplish this the following areas will be explored in depth using key published scientific articles: physiologic and anatomic adaptations of the skeleton/musculature that facilitates swimming, overview of diving and its effects in humans; diving and marine mammals - what makes them so special; overview of human vs marine mammal cardiac and vascular physiology; their structural adaptations to facilitate diving; comparative lung physiology adapted to diving; blood and tissue oxygen carrying capacity; feeding & reproduction; renal homeostasis during diving, role of the neuro-endocrine system and comparative deep diving systemic effects. Where relevant the application of this knowledge to human health issues will also be discussed.
General course topics will include:
Human Diving Principals
Overview of Systems Responses to Diving
Cardiovascular Modification and Responses to Diving
ADL vs cADL as a Determinant of all Diving Behaviors
Adaptations of the Respiratory System and Role in Diving
Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Role in Successful Diving
Apply Theoretical Diving Physiology
Mechanisms for Pathologies Resulting from Diving
Physiological Impact of Feeding and Reproduction on Diving
Evaluation:
20% - Debates
5% - Seminar participation
10% - Mini weekly assignments for journal club *
5% - Essay Outline
20% - Oral Presentation on Essay
40% - Final Essay-subject dealing with one of the lecture topics
* for 2021 this mark will be evenly redistributed to essay outline and oral presentation
