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**Policy & Planning
**Science & Statistics

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Fish Physiology is the study of the anatomy and physiology of fish and how fish adapt to environmental conditions.  After an introductory overview to fish physiology, emphasis will be placed on the major physiological systems including sensory, digestive, circulatory, nervous and endocrine.  Other topics covered include osmoregulation, swimming/movement, reproduction, development, populations and human impact on aquatic environments.  Laboratory exercises include bleeding fish and analyzing blood for hematocrit, glucose and chloride.  The goal of this training is to develop and enable participants to effectively use fish physiology information in research and management decisions.

Objectives: Upon course completion, the student will be able to:

• Discuss how fish see, hear and sense their environment;
• discuss prey detection, predator avoidance and feeding behaviors;
• understand the fish vascular system and respiration;
• discuss the nervous and endocrine systems and feedback control;
• understand the digestion system and absorption of nutrients;
• discuss osmotic and ionic regulation of freshwater and seawater fish;
• discuss body form, swimming and how fish move through water;
• discuss reproduction, spawning and environmental controls;
• understand the development of eggs and larvae;
• discuss recruitment and population fluctuations; and
• discuss human impacts on aquatic environments.