Physiology of major functions

The Physiology of Major Functions course (semester 4) aims to describe the role and interactions of the different systems in the body that work together to maintain a constant internal environment. Acquisition of anatomical and functional knowledge of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and renal systems and their nervous and hormonal controls. Understanding the combined action of these major systems through examples of integrative physiology and pathologies: respiratory and cardiac failure; hemorrhage; exposure to extreme environments.

-Knowledge:

The course will consist of four blocks of knowledge, described below.

1) The cardiovascular system (5.5 hours):

The heart. Anatomy of the heart: size, location, and orientation; heart envelope; heart wall layers; heart chambers and large vessels; blood flow through the heart; heart valves; coronary circulation. Physiology of the heart: electrical phenomena; regulation of the basic rhythm: cardiac conduction system; modification of the basic rhythm: extrinsic innervation of the heart; electrical activity and cardiac cycle; cardiac output; regulation of systolic volume; regulation of heart rate. Small and large circulation.

The cardiovascular system: blood vessels. Structure and function of blood vessels: structure of vascular walls; arterial network; capillaries; capillary beds; venous networks. Physiology of circulation: blood flow, blood pressure, and resistance; systemic blood pressure: arterial pressure; venous pressure; factors promoting venous return; maintenance of arterial pressure. Cardiovascular nerve centers; cardiovascular regulation of high-pressure and low-pressure systems; examples of cardiac and vascular pathologies.

2) The respiratory system (4.5 hours):

Reminders about atmospheric air and partial gas pressures. Anatomy of the respiratory system: general organization of the respiratory system; airways; site of gas exchange: the alveoli and their vascularization; relationship between the lungs and the rib cage. Ventilation and pulmonary mechanics: the respiratory muscles; lung volumes; ventilatory mechanics; surfactant. Gas exchange in the body: principles of diffusion; gas composition and partial pressures; gas exchange. Gas transport: transport of oxygen in the blood; transport of carbon dioxide in the blood. Respiratory control: motor and sensory innervation of the rib cage and lungs; location of respiratory centers; central and peripheral receptors; ventilation control by PO2, PCO2, and [H+]. Ventilation adaptations to mechanical and chemical constraints. Examples of respiratory pathologies.

3) The renal system (4.5 hours): anatomy of the urinary tract and kidneys; the urinary tract; the kidney and its vascularization; the nephron and its vascularization. Renal functions: urine production; glomerular filtration and its regulation; tubular reabsorption; tubular secretion. Composition of urine; function of the different tubular segments; mechanisms of urine concentration; study of renal function; micturition: urine excretion. Regulation of renal functions: regulation of water and sodium: blood volume/osmolarity; regulation of potassium; regulation of calcium; regulation of blood sugar; regulation of pH: acidosis, alkalosis. Renal failure and treatments (dialysis, diet, transplants, etc.). Diuretics. Nephropathies. Hemodialysis and transplantation.

4) The digestive system (4.5 hours): anatomy of the digestive system and regulation of digestion. Accessory glands: pancreas and liver. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Carbohydrates: structure of carbohydrates; enzymatic hydrolysis of carbohydrates; absorption of carbohydrates. Proteins: enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins; absorption of peptides and amino acids. Lipids: structure of lipids; enzymatic hydrolysis of lipids; absorption of fatty acids and monoglycerides. Absorption and distribution of nutrients. Autonomous functioning of digestive smooth muscle. Nervous regulation. Hormonal regulation: digestive hormones. Endocrine cells and hormones of the stomach: gastrin and G cells; histamine and ECL cells; somatostatin and D cells. Endocrine cells and hormones of the intestine: secretin; cholecystokinin; GIP and GLP-1. The different stages of digestion: cephalic phase, gastric phase, and intestinal phase.

The tutorial sessions (four sessions lasting 1.5 hours each) allow students to explore the concepts covered in the lectures in greater depth.

The practical sessions, divided into three sessions, will enable students to apply the concepts covered in class: PS1: study of the cardiorespiratory system; PS2: hemolysis; PS3: hydrolysis. Students will be required to practice writing practical session reports.

-Know-how:

Practical work and tutorials.

Understand, identify, and describe the physiological mechanisms involved in cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive functions.

Know how to analyze experimental results.

Knowing how to reposition theoretical knowledge in an experimental context.

Mastering written and oral expression in French and its techniques of expression.

Know how to respect syntax and spelling, as well as the characteristics of the type of writing.

Knowing how to take notes during lectures.

Be independent in writing and demonstrate the ability to communicate thoughts, reason, and organize knowledge.

Know how to analyze experimental results.

Knowing how to reposition theoretical knowledge in an experimental context.

Search for, analyze, and use information from different sources and media (articles, etc.)

Develop critical thinking skills when analyzing scientific and non-scientific documents.

Know how to write summary documents (presentations, memos, reports, etc.).

Know how to construct and illustrate a presentation.

Know how to write summary documents (presentations, memos, reports, etc.).

Knowing how to speak in public.

Knowing how to take notes during conferences.

Be self-reliant at work.

Reference system

Identify and independently carry out the various stages of an experimental approach.  Identify, select, and apply a combination of analytical tools (common techniques, instrumentation) suitable for characterizing organisms (from biomolecules to individuals in all their complexity) and their functioning at different levels of analysis (intracellular metabolism, biology and physiology of complex organisms, interactions between individuals and groups, interactions with the environment).

Interpret experimental data to consider their modeling. x Validate a model by comparing its predictions with experimental results and assess its limits of validity. Identify sources of error to calculate the uncertainty of an experimental result.

-Interpersonal skills:

Follow instructions during practical work; Learn to work in a team; Know how to take notes during lectures; Be able to work independently; Be rigorous and autonomous. Be autonomous in writing and demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas, reason, and organize knowledge; Master written and oral expression in French and communication techniques. Follow syntax and spelling rules as well as the characteristics of the type of writing; Complete work within deadlines; Take a rigorous approach to problems.

Reference system

Work both as part of a team and independently and responsibly on a project. Characterize and promote your identity, skills, and career plans in a given context. Take a step back from a situation, self-assess, and question yourself in order to learn. Identify and select various specialized resources to document a subject. Analyze and synthesize data for use. Develop arguments with a critical mind. Use different registers of written and oral expression in French with ease. Use written and oral comprehension and expression in at least one modern foreign language with ease.

This program is open to students who have completed the first year of a Bachelor's degree in Life and Health Sciences (or other biology degree), or an IUT biology degree that has provided them with a foundation in cellular and molecular physiology.