From the Cell to the Organism in APP

: Organisms are living structures, composed of cells, that perform a number of functions, ultimately contributing to the production of new living beings. Here, we will focus primarily on functions related to the exchange of matter with the environment and the distribution of matter within the organism. For all of these functions, the structures involved will be understood in terms of optimization through natural selection: in other words, the structures have been shaped in such a way that their functioning is optimal (the concept of structure-function relationships), given the physicochemical laws governing these phenomena. The contribution to the performance of these functions will be addressed at various levels of integration (cell, tissue, organ, system, organism). Variations in these functions will be examined across different phylogenetic groups (including animals [vertebrates, arthropods, annelids, etc.], terrestrial plants, and other groups) and according to different modes of life and environments (aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic [freshwater, marine] environments, organism size, etc.).

The curriculum for this course unit will be organized as follows:

• 6 tutoring sessions, 3 hours each
• 6 3-hour practical sessions
• 2 Scientific Lectures + Test

In addition to methodological and soft skills objectives (acquisition of cross-disciplinary skills common to the entire Life Sciences bachelor’s degree program in APP), this course unit focuses on mastering the following concepts:

• Tissue cell organization: cell types, extracellular matrices (cell wall, basal lamina), intercellular junctions (without going into detail about the molecules, which will be covered in “From Cell to Molecule”);
• Primary plant tissues (meristems, epidermis, rhizodermis, endodermis, sclerenchyma/collenchyma/parenchyma, xylem, phloem);
• Main categories of animal tissues (connective, epithelial, nervous, muscular), with a focus on the organization of digestive and respiratory epithelia (ciliated, microvillus-bearing, and keratinized);
• Vegetative organs of terrestrial plants: stem, leaf, root, and their histology (primary tissues). The role of tissues in the functioning of these organs (photosynthesis, root absorption, exchanges with the environment, internal circulation). The driving force behind raw sap circulation through variations in water potential. Active transport of sugars. Molecular aspects will not be covered.
• Major organs of the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and excretory systems in animals. Smooth muscle, connective tissue, and epithelium. Excretion and osmoregulation in various environments (overview of passive and active transport—the molecular mechanisms underlying organ function will not be discussed). Respiratory exchange in various environments (the primary limiting factor varies depending on the environment).
• Smooth and skeletal muscles and the skeleton of vertebrates: muscle, bone, and cartilage tissues. Role in locomotion (opposing muscles, e.g., extensors/flexors). An example of a terrestrial locomotion pattern. Viscous drag, aerodynamics. Development of lift in relation to wing structure (lift, aerodynamics). Exoskeleton and jointed appendages of arthropods. Hydroskeleton and musculature of annelids. Size-related constraints on the posture and locomotion of organisms (metabolic allometry, skeletal allometry, allometry of locomotion cost).
• Blood circulation: the heart (structure, major vessels, role of the compartments); types of blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries; histology and functional characteristics). Cardiac muscle; the driving force behind exchange at the capillary level.

100% Continuous Assessment