Anthropology 3873. Human Energetics and Physiology
Spring 2009
M W 1:00 – 2:30pm
McMillan 149
Dr. Herman Pontzer
McMillan 119
Email: hpontzer@artsci.wustl.edu Phone: 935-5292
Office Hours: M F 2:30 – 4:00pm, or by appointment.
TA: Anna Warrener. agblackb@artsci.wustl.edu
Course Website: http://artsci.wustl.edu/~hpontzer/Courses/Anth3873.htm
Required Text: Human Physiology: An Integrative Approach (2006) D. Unglaub Silverthorn. (3rd edition acceptable)
Other Readings
Readings outside of the Silverthorn text are available as pdfs on the course website. Changes to the reading list will be posted on the course website.
Scope of the Course
This course will provide a survey of human physiology, with a focus on energetics. Introductory lectures will focus on the importance of energetics in biology and evolution. We then explore basic human physiology, including growth and development, neurophysiology, respiration, digestion, locomotion, and reproduction, investigating both how these processes work, and how they fit into the evolved human strategy for growth, survival, and reproduction.
GRADING
Quizzes......20%
Midterm1...25%
Midterm2...25%
Final...........30%
SEVEN SHORT QUIZZES will be given on the assigned readings throughout the course of the semester. These quizzes will be given during the first 10 minutes of class. Quizzes will not be announced. Each student's best 5 quiz scores will be counted toward their final grade; their lowest two scores will be dropped. Because the value of each quiz is small, and the lowest two scores are dropped, no make-up quizzes will be given for late or absent students.
ATTENDANCE will not be recorded. As with any course, attendance is necessary to get the most out of this class, and will certainly help in doing well. Also, missed quizzes (see above) will be scored 'zero'.
CHEATING and other misconduct will be dealt with according to Washington University's policies on academic integrity. Don't do it.
Students taking the course on a Credit/No Credit basis are required to earn a grade of C in order to receive credit (C- and lower will receive no credit).
There are no options for extra credit and no exemptions from the final exam.
Date |
Topic |
Reading (click blue readings for pdf) |
Mon 1/12 |
Introduction |
|
Wed 1/14 |
Energy & Life History |
Futuyama, 561 - 572 |
|
|
|
Mon 1/19 |
MLK Day - No Class |
|
Wed 1/21 |
Growth 1: Embryology |
Kardong, 154 - 170, 462 - 464 [color figures] [movie] |
|
|
|
Mon 1/26 |
Growth 2: Infancy to Adulthood |
CEHE 98 – 105; Silverthorn, 756 – 765 |
Wed 1/28 |
The Skeleton: Development and growth |
Silverthorn 765 - 68; Sadler 161 - 185 |
|
|
|
Mon 2/2 |
The Skeleton: Optimization and evolution |
CEHE 75-79 |
Wed 2/4 |
The Nervous System |
Silverthorn, 244 - 269; 292 - 314 |
|
|
|
Mon 2/9 |
Sensory Physiology |
Silverthorn, 327 - 370 |
Wed 2/11 |
Human Brain and Life History |
CEHE 109 - 123, 128 - 133, 341 - 345 |
|
|
|
Mon 2/16 |
The Skin |
Silverthorn 83-84; Jablonski 1-20, 76-96 |
Wed 2/18 |
MIDTERM 1: 1/12 – 2/11 |
|
|
|
|
Mon 2/23 |
Thermoregulation |
Silverthorn 739 - 746; 815 |
Wed 2/25 |
Sweating and Kidney Function |
Silverthorn, 613 – 633, 642 - 652 |
|
|
|
Mon 3/2 |
Eating: Chewing and digestive physiology |
Silverthorn, 676 - 710 |
Wed 3/4 |
Metabolism: The cost of living |
Silverthorn, 721 - 738 |
|
|
|
Mon 3/9 |
Spring Break – No class |
|
Wed 3/11 |
Spring Break – No class |
|
|
|
|
Mon 3/16 |
Respiration and aerobic energetics |
Silverthorn, 558 - 580; 588 - 607 |
Wed 3/17 |
Circulation and the supply of energy |
Silverthorn, 457 - 493; 593 - 599 |
|
|
|
Mon 3/23 |
Muscle physiology and movement |
Silverthorn, 397 - 421 |
Wed 3/25 |
Locomotion and the cost of finding food |
Silverthorn, 808 - 815 |
|
|
|
Mon 3/30 |
Evolution of Human Locomotion |
Sockol et al 2007, Bramble & Lieberman 2004 |
Wed 4/1 |
MIDTERM 2: 2/16 – 3/25 |
|
|
|
|
Mon 4/6 |
Evolution of the Human Diet |
Aiello& Wheeler 1995; Wrangham&Conklan-Britain 2003 |
Wed 4/8 |
Reproductive physiology |
Silverthorn, 822 - 854 |
|
|
|
Mon 4/13 |
Reproductive energetics & fertility |
|
Wed 4/15 |
The Immune System & Evolution of Medicine |
Silverthorn, 778 - 800; 519 - 520; 547 - 551 |
|
|
|
Mon 4/20 |
Recent trends in Human Physiology |
Cohen, How many people…? pp. 212 – 236 |
Wed 4/22 |
FINAL EXAM (3/30 – 4/20, and major topics from course) |
|
|
|