From the Cell to the Organism in APP

Organisms are living structures made up of cells that perform a number of functions, ultimately contributing to the production of new living beings. Here, we will mainly consider the 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 the light of optimization through natural selection: in other words, the structures have been shaped in such a way as to function optimally (the concept of structure-function relationships), given the physical and chemical laws governing these phenomena. The contribution to the performance of functions will be addressed at different levels of integration (cell, tissue, organ, apparatus/system, organism). Its variations will be considered in different phylogenetic groups (including animals (vertebrates, arthropods, annelids, etc.), terrestrial plants, and other groups) and according to different modes and environments of life (aerial/terrestrial/aquatic (freshwater, marine), size of the organism, etc.).

The program for this EU will be divided into:

• 6 tutoring sessions of 3 hours each
• 6 three-hour practical sessions
• 2 Scientific conferences + assessment

In addition to methodological and interpersonal skills objectives (acquisition of cross-disciplinary skills common to all APP life sciences degrees), this course focuses on mastery of the following concepts:

• Assembly of cells into tissues: cell types, extracellular matrices (cell wall, basement membrane), intercellular junctions (without detailing the molecules, which will be studied 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/respiratory epithelia (ciliated/with microvilli/keratinized);
• Vegetative organs of terrestrial plants: stem, leaf, root, and their histology (primary tissues). Involvement of tissues in the functioning of these organs (photosynthesis, root absorption, exchanges with the environment, internal circulation). Driver of raw sap circulation through variations in water potential. Active transport of sugars. Molecular aspects will not be covered.
• Main organs of the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and excretory systems in animals. Smooth muscles, connective tissue + epithelium Excretion/osmoregulation in different environments (balance of passive and active exchanges – the molecular mechanisms of organ function will not be covered). Respiratory exchanges in different environments (main limiting constraint depending on the environment).
• Smooth/skeletal muscles and skeleton of vertebrates: muscle, bone, and cartilage tissue. Contribution to locomotion (opposing muscles, e.g., extensors/flexors). An example of terrestrial locomotion. Viscous braking, aerodynamics. Development of lift in relation to wing structure (lift, aerodynamics). Exoskeleton and articulated 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 costs).
• Blood circulation: heart (structure, large vessels, role of compartments), types of vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries, histology, and functional characteristics). Heart muscle, driver of exchanges at the capillary level.

100% Continuous assessment