Physiology of Major Body Functions

The “Major Physiological Functions” course (Semester 4) aims to describe the role and interactions of the body’s various systems that work together to maintain a constant internal environment. Students will acquire anatomical and functional knowledge of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and renal systems, as well as their neural and hormonal controls. Students will understand the combined action of these major systems through examples of integrative physiology and pathologies: respiratory and cardiac failure; hemorrhage; and exposure to extreme environments.

-Knowledge:

The course will consist of four modules, described below.

1) The cardiovascular system (5.5 hours):

The Heart. Anatomy of the heart: size, location, and orientation; the pericardium; the layers of the heart wall; the heart chambers and major blood vessels; the flow of blood through the heart; heart valves; coronary circulation. Physiology of the heart: electrical phenomena; regulation of the baseline rhythm: the cardiac conduction system; modification of the baseline rhythm: extrinsic innervation of the heart; electrical activity and the cardiac cycle; cardiac output; regulation of stroke 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- and low-pressure systems; examples of cardiac and vascular pathologies.

2) The Respiratory System (4.5 hours):

Review of atmospheric air and partial pressures of gases. Anatomy of the respiratory system: general structure of the respiratory system; airways; site of gas exchange: the alveoli and their vascularization; relationship between the lungs and the thoracic cage. Ventilation and pulmonary mechanics: respiratory muscles; lung volumes; ventilatory mechanics; surfactant. Gas exchange in the body: principles of diffusion; gas composition and partial pressures; gas exchange. Gas transport: oxygen transport in the blood; carbon dioxide transport in the blood. Control of respiration: motor and sensory innervation of the thoracic cage and lungs; location of the respiratory centers; central and peripheral receptors; control of ventilation by PO₂, PCO₂, and [H+]. Adaptations of ventilation to mechanical and chemical stressors. Examples of respiratory disorders.

3) The Renal System (4.5 hours): anatomy of the urinary system and the kidneys; the urinary tract; the kidney and its blood supply; the nephron and its blood supply. Renal functions: urine formation; glomerular filtration and its regulation; tubular reabsorption; tubular secretion. Composition of urine; function of the various 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 glucose; 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 tract 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: Structures of lipids; Enzymatic hydrolysis of lipids; Absorption of fatty acids and monoglycerides. Absorption and distribution of nutrients. Autonomic function of the 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 (4 sessions, 1 hour and 30 minutes each) provide an opportunity to explore the concepts covered in the lectures in greater depth.

The lab sessions, divided into three sessions, are designed to allow students to apply the concepts covered in class: Lab 1: Study of the cardiorespiratory system; Lab 2: Hemolysis; Lab 3: Hydrolysis. Students will practice writing lab reports.

-Expertise:

Laboratory sessions and tutorials.

Be able to understand, identify, and describe the physiological mechanisms involved in cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive functions.

Be able to analyze experimental results.

Be able to apply theoretical knowledge to an experimental context.

Master written and oral expression in French and the techniques of expression in that language.

Be able to follow the rules of syntax and spelling, as well as the conventions of the specific type of writing.

Knowing how to take notes during lectures.

To be independent in writing and, in doing so, demonstrate the ability to communicate one’s thoughts, reason, and organize one’s knowledge.

Be able to analyze experimental results.

Be able to apply theoretical knowledge to an experimental context.

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

Develop critical thinking skills when analyzing scientific and nonscientific documents.

Be able to write concise documents (presentations, memos, reports, etc.).

Know how to structure and illustrate a presentation.

Be able to write concise documents (presentations, memos, reports, etc.).

Knowing how to speak in public.

How to Take Notes During Lectures.

Be able to work independently.

Reference Framework

Identify and independently carry out the various steps of an experimental procedure.  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 various 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 how to model them. x Validate a model by comparing its predictions with experimental results and assess the limits of its validity. Identify sources of error to calculate the uncertainty in an experimental result.

-Interpersonal Skills:

Follow instructions during practical exercises; Learn to work as part of a team; Know how to take notes during lectures; Work independently; Be thorough and self-reliant. Write independently and, in doing so, demonstrate the ability to communicate one’s thoughts, reason, and organize one’s knowledge; Master written and oral expression in French and its techniques of expression. Adhere to syntax and spelling rules as well as the conventions of the specific writing genre; Complete assignments by the deadline; Approach problems with rigor.

Reference Framework

Work both as part of a team and independently and responsibly to advance a project. Define and highlight one’s identity, skills, and career goals in accordance with a given context. Take a step back from a situation, self-evaluate, and question one’s own assumptions in order to learn. Identify and select various specialized resources to research a topic. Analyze and synthesize data for practical application. Develop arguments with a critical mindset. Use the various registers of written and spoken French with ease. Use written and spoken comprehension and expression with ease in at least one modern foreign language.

This program is open to students who have completed the first year of a Bachelor’s degree in Life and Health Sciences (or another biology-related bachelor’s degree) or a biology program at a University of Technology (IUT) that has provided them with a foundation in cellular and molecular physiology.