Membrane transfer

The Membrane Transfer course (semester 4) aims to describe the role and different types of membrane transfer. The course covers membrane permeability (i) to water (osmosis; water transfer mechanisms; aquaporins); (ii) to ions and solutes (factors affecting ion exchange: electroneutrality and osmotic equilibrium). Transporters; ionic and non-ionic channels. Genetic diseases linked to transfers: channelopathies and co-transportopathies.

- Knowledge :

Introduction Overview of fluid compartments. Origin and definition of epithelia. Different types of epithelium.

Physiology of membrane transfer: Water permeability and osmosis: water transfer mechanisms; concepts of membrane water permeability; water channels (aquaporins); water movement in red blood cells; measurement of osmolarity by cryoscopy. Diffusion: Fick's laws; osmotic flux; mechanisms and regulation of water permeability in epithelia.

Solute and electrolyte transfer: solute and electrolyte permeability; electrolyte transport. Factors affecting ion exchange: electroneutrality and osmotic equilibrium. Energy required for ion transfer: qualitative and quantitative aspects. Force and electrical energy. Total transfer energy and electrochemical potential. Nernst equilibrium. Equilibrium potential of an ion. Gibbs-Donnan equilibrium. Origin of membrane potential: Goldman, Hodgkin and Katz equation. Resting potential.

Biological aspects of transfer : Transport by facilitated diffusion: uniport transporters; anti-port or exchange ion transporters; non-ion channels; ion channels: ROC, SMOC, VOC, POC. Secondary active transport: cotransport; exchange. Primary active transport. Transfer-related genetic diseases: channelopathies; co-transportopathies.

TD sessions (5 sessions of 1h30 each) are used to go into greater depth on concepts covered in lectures.

-Know-how :

Tutorial.

Identify and describe the different types of membrane transfer.

Analyze experimental results

Reposition theoretical acquisitions in an experimental context

Master the written and spoken French language and its expression techniques.

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

Take notes during lectures

Write independently, demonstrating the ability to communicate thought, reason and organize knowledge.

Analyze experimental results.

Reposition theoretical acquisitions in an experimental context.

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

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

Build and illustrate a presentation.

Write summary documents (presentations, notes, reports, etc.).

Public speaking.

Take notes at conferences.

Work independently.

Reference

Identify and independently carry out the various stages of an experimental approach. Identify, select and apply a combination of analytical tools (current techniques, instrumentation) adapted to characterize organisms (from the biomolecule to the individual in all its 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 envisage their modeling. 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.

-Know-how :

Follow instructions during practical interventions.

Learning to work as part of a team.

Master the written and spoken French language and its expression techniques. Respect syntax and spelling as well as the characteristics of the type of writing.

Complete work on time.

A rigorous approach to problems.

Take notes during lectures.

Work independently.

Be rigorous and independent. Be autonomous in the writing activity, demonstrating the ability to communicate one's thoughts, reason and organize one's knowledge.

Reference

Work as part of a team as well as independently and responsibly on a project.

Characterize and enhance your identity, skills and professional project in a given context. Take a step back from a situation, assess yourself and challenge yourself in order to learn.

Identify and select various specialized resources to document a subject. Analyze and synthesize data for further use. Develop arguments with a critical mind. Fluently use the different registers of written and oral expression in the French language. Fluency in written and oral comprehension and expression in at least one modern foreign language.

open to students holding a 1st year Bachelor's degree in Life and Health Sciences (or another biology degree), or a biology IUT that has enabled them to acquire notions of cellular and molecular physiology.