Membrane transfer

The EU Membrane Transfers (semester 4) aims to describe the role and different types of membrane transfers. The following topics will be covered: membrane permeability (i) to water (osmosis; water transfer mechanisms; aquaporins); (ii) to ions and solutes (factors affecting ion exchange: electroneutrality and osmotic balance). Transporters; ionic and non-ionic channels. Genetic diseases related to transport: channelopathies and co-transportopathies.

- Knowledge :

Introduction : Reminder of fluid compartments. Origin and definition of epithelia. The various types of epithelia.

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

Transfer of solutes and electrolytes: permeability to solutes and electrolytes; transport of electrolytes. Factors affecting ion exchange: electroneutrality and osmotic equilibrium. Energy required for ion transfer: qualitative and quantitative aspects. Electric force and 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. Rest potential.

Biological aspects of transport: Facilitated diffusion transport: uniport transporters; ion antiporters or exchangers; non-ionic channels; ionic channels: ROC, SMOC, VOC, POC. Secondary active transport: cotransport; exchange. Primary active transport. Genetic diseases related to transport: channelopathies; cotransportopathies.

The tutorial sessions (5 sessions of 1.5 hours) allow students to explore the concepts covered in lectures in greater depth.

-Know-how:

Tutorials.

Know how to identify and describe the different types of membrane transport.

Knowing 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 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. 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 as a team.

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

Complete work on time.

Take a rigorous approach to problems.

Knowing how to take notes during lectures.

Be self-reliant at work.

Knowing how to be rigorous and independent. Being independent in writing and demonstrating the ability to communicate thoughts, reason, and organize knowledge.

Reference system

Working both as part of a team and independently and responsibly on a project.

Characterize and promote your identity, skills, and career plans based on the 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 critical thinking skills. 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.

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 enabled them to acquire knowledge in cellular and molecular physiology.