Course Overview

Course objective: 

- Study the two main long distance communication systems of
vertebrates : the nervous and endocrine systems.

Learning Achievement

Competence

Course prerequisites

- B2 level of English.
- First Bachelor year in a similar discipline with knowledge in
Cellular Biology and notions of Physiology

Grading Philosophy

In December or January: 

- 1h30 final exam on the Lectures (coef 0.6)  - 1h30 final exam on
the tutorials and practicals (coef. 0.4)

Course schedule

Introduction: nervous system and hormonal systems:similarities,
differences, interactions between the two systemsPlasma membrane
reminders: structure; function / transport 

1) THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

- Structure of the nervous system (central and peripheral)  - The
neuron: structure, properties.  - Ion exchanges through the membrane
(channels, pumps),electrochemical equilibrium potential of an ion. 
- The membrane potential; The Resting potential of excitablecells 
- Action potential: ionic theory, ion channels involved,properties,
propagation.  - Neurotransmission. The electrical synapse
(structure, role).The chemical synapse: from neurotransmitters release
topostsynaptic potentials (IPSP, EPSP, End-plate potential
andpostsynaptic integration); Ionotropic receptors (eg
nicotiniccholinergic receptor); Metabotropic receptors
(example: modulation of the cardiac activity: cholinergic muscarinic
andbeta-adrenergic receptors).  2) The striated muscle.
Excitation-contraction coupling. 
3) Introduction to endocrinology

- General introduction to hormonal systems  - Hypothalamic-pituitary
complex; endocrine glands  - Mechanism of action of hydrophilic
(peptides) vshydrophobic hormones (steroids ...)  - Example of
hormonal regulation: regulation of blood glucoseby the pancreas 

Example of a physiological reaction involving the twosystems: reaction
to stress: activation of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis and
sympathetic nervous system(noradrenaline - adrenaline - cortisol).

Course type

Lectures (22h), Tutorials (16h) and experiments usingcomputer simulation (6h)

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Other information

Duration: One semester

Language of instruction: English

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