NajibUzaimi95: Animal Physiology Reflection(Reflective Writing)

Based on study of this course, at first, I don’t really understand about what is the true definition of Animal Physiology. Then, based on what I have learn of all the topic through week 1 to week 14, finally, I can truly understand what is the meaning of the physiology of animal. According to what I have learn, Animal Physiology is the study of how animals work, and the various physical or chemical processes that occur within the animal body. It is the important key of discipline for understanding the fundamental biology of all animals. The various processes of animal body under physiology that I have learn are about muscular system, respiratory system, circulatory system, nervous system, sensory system, osmoregulation, blood and circulation, digestion system, endocrinology, excretory system, and reproductive system. Besides that, the issues that I faced is I always find myself in Animal Physiology's experiments activity saying, "What do I do next?" Instead of, "Why am I doing this? What should the results be? For me, those two questions are extremely important in an experiment because a scientist needs to know why these steps are happening and how it is going to affect the results. When any scientist conducts and experiment for a specific field, they have to come up with a list of procedures and steps to obtain a certain exit. So, it's important for me as students to ask ourselves the question, "Why am I doing this?"

In addition, I can go through the same process the scientist went through when they conducted the experiment themselves. Then I can use that knowledge and critical thinking in my own research in the future. To obtain this kind of critical thinking, we are using Problem Based Learning activity in our class with the help and guided from our beloved lecturer, Dr Syakirah and then by Dr. Liyana. Our lecturers had provided me with the constructive questions, but, once again, the questions are helpful but they become habitual and instead of wanting to know the answer for my own knowledge, I usually tend to want to answer the question quickly without truly understand it. Overall, with the help from our lecturer, I think this Pbl activity does a good job at setting me up for good study technique, but it also falls a little short when it comes to real critical thinking.

On 9 October 2018, our group went to the Open day carnival of Institute for Medical Research (IMR) at Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur. At here, we got many information and knowledge about medical research and medical issue such as Hiv Aids, Denggi and leptospirosis which is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected persons, however, may have no symptoms at all. Without treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death. From this trip, i really had increase my knowledge about this Animal Physiology course.

Next, on 25 November 2018, our group of Animal Physiology’s student went for a fieldtrip at the National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC) at Kuala Gandah, Pahang. Our objective for this fieldtrip is to observe how the elephants which is can be categorized as endangered species at here been conserved. Our main purpose also to observe and watch closely with our own eyes the physiology of elephants. Many important information and new knowledge regarding physiology’s of elephants that I got from this fieldtrip. Kuala Gandah National Conservation Elephant Sanctuary is an elephant preserve center that has been around since 1989. At here, the sanctuary staff, teaches the elephants to be comfortable around humans and to help out with heavy-labor tasks, such as moving trees and clearing out large pieces of timber. They try to get the elephants moved out within a few months, but some end up staying longer due to illness or injury. The main purpose of the sanctuary is to help and preserve the elephants in Malaysia since they are on the critically on endangered list. To do that, they focus on educating and making the public aware of the plight of the Malaysian elephants.

From the informer guider of this conservation center, I got all the basic information about the physiological characteristic of the elephants and their habitat in this sanctuary environment. One of their speciality which is differ from the other animals is the trunk. Elephants have a unique body design that makes it hard to confuse them with any other animal in the world. They are very large animals with anatomy and physiological that is developed so that they have a very good chance of survival in their natural habitat. All of us are familiar with the trunk of an elephant. It is the most important part of the body for this animal. The trunk is very strong and they can even pull complete trees out of the ground with it. They also have sharp teeth that allow them to tear various types of plants and then to chew them up. The trunk is also used for communication purposes and for smelling.

Lastly, in my opinion, elephants here are wild animals who are just being taught a few simple things before being returned to the wild. Some of the elephants are domesticated enough to help with the translocation process of the wild elephants, but none of them are for show or entertainment. I enjoyed the show that demonstrated how intelligent the elephants are and how good their attitude under their caretaker or “mahout”. It is always neat being able to see the strength and intelligence of the animals around us. After finished this trip, it give me knowledge about the relation between the interaction of physiological of elephants and the environment. I also observed the physical characteristics and morphological of an elephant. Based on that, I can know the functions of all parts of its body which is very unique and its physiological behaviour due to its adaptation with the environment. This trip to Kuala Gandah Elephants Sanctuary really give me something excellent experience. I enjoyed it very much!

Thank you!