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Free course
Studying mammals: A winning design
Free statement of participation on completion
The term mammal encompasses a huge variety of animals, including humans. But what makes a mammal a mammal? This free course, Studying mammals: A winning design, explores some of the features, such as reproduction, lactation and thermoregulation methods, that mammals have in common. It is the first in a series of ten Studying mammals courses.
NOTE: The Studying mammals series is gradually being updated and replaced. You can study an improved freestanding version of this course, titled Introducing mammals, here:
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/nature-environment/introducing-mammals/content-section-0
NOTE: The Studying mammals series is gradually being updated and replaced. You can study an improved freestanding version of this course, titled Introducing mammals, here:
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/nature-environment/introducing-mammals/content-section-0
Course learning outcomes
After studying this course, you should be able to:
- explain the distinctive biological features of monotremes
- distinguish contrasting modes of reproduction in monotremes, marsupials and placental mammals
- describe the cellular basis of lactation and explain the benefits of an early diet of milk
- explain the significance of mammalian metabolic rate
- explain how and why the thermogenic response differs among species.
First Published: 09/08/2012
Updated: 07/05/2019
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