Our Marvelous Bodies
240 pages, 6 x 9
22 illustrations
Hardcover
Release Date:07 Mar 2008
ISBN:9780813542812
Our Marvelous Bodies
An Introduction to the Physiology of Human Health
Rutgers University Press
Our Marvelous Bodies offers a unique perspective on the structure, function, and care of the major systems of the human body. Unlike other texts that use a strictly scientific approach, physiologist Gary F. Merrill relays medical facts alongside personal stories that help students relate to and apply the information.
Readers learn the basics of feedback control systems, homeostasis, and physiological gradients. These principles apply to an understanding of the body’s functioning under optimal, healthy conditions, and they provide insight into states of acute and chronic illness. Separate chapters are devoted to each of the body’s systems in detail: nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, reproductive, and immune. Through a series of real-life examples, the book also shows the importance of maintaining careful medical records for health care professionals, scientists, and patients alike.
Merrill has written a concise yet thorough primier on the physiology of the major human body systems. Highly recommended.
Using marvelous examples of everyday experience, Merrill effectively illustrates and explains many complex physiological processes. This blending of basic human biology with real-life stories greatly helps us to understand our own bodies—as patients, students, or as health care professionals.
Merrill's approach to science instruction is a unique one. I found it captivating.
GARY F. MERRILL is a professor of cell biology and neuroscience in the Division of Life Sciences at Rutgers University.
List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
1. The Foundation
Structure and Function
Homeostasis, Equilibrium, and the Steady State
Physiological Gradients
Physiological Reflexes
Control Systems Analysis
Feedback and Feedforward
2. Understanding the Mammalian Nervous System
What Are Neurons?
What Is the Nervous System?
Neuron Communication, Electrical and Chemical Transmission
Different Neurotransmitters and Their Locations and Functions
Discomfort, Pain, and the Nervous System
Mental Activity, Cerebral Blood Flow, and Health of the Nervous System
3. The Endocrine System and Physiological Communication
Advances in Endocrinology
Hormones, Proteins, and Peptides
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Excesses and Deficiencies of GH and Health
The Adrenal Gland and Growth
The Thyroid Gland
4. The Cardiovascular System and the Blood
The Blood
The Heart and Cardiac Cycle
The Blood Vessels
Lifestyle and Monitoring Cardiovascular Health
Reactive Hyperemia and Blood Flow to Organs and Tissues
5. Health and the Respiratory System
Componenets of the Respiratory System
Pulmonary Ventilation, or Lung Inflation and Deflation
Respiration, Exchange, and Transport of Blood Gases
Central and Peripheral Regulation of the Respiratory System
Lungs and Balance of Acids and Bases
Lifestyle and Care of the Lungs
6. Kidneys and Renal Physiology
Functional Morphology of the Kidneys
Glomerular Filtration Rate and Urine
Regulation of GFR and RPF
REabsorption, Secretion, and the Formation of Urine
Renal Health, Hydration, and Urination
Diabetes and Sugar in the Urine
7. The Gastrointestinal System
Components of the Gastrointestinal (GI) or Enteric System
Mechanics and Reflexes of the GI Tract
Secretions of the GI Tract
Digestion of Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins
Health of the Oral Cavity and Vocalization
Health of the GI Tract and Diet
8. The Reproductive System
Gametogenesis, Genetic, Gonadal, and Phenotypic Sex
The Sexually Indifferent Embryonic Gonad
Spermatogenesis and the Male Reproductive System
Oogenesis, Folliculogenesis, and the Female Reproductive System
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Sexual Behavior, and Infertility
9. The Immune System
Cellular Defenses
Chemotaxis, Margination, Diapedesis, and Phagocytosis
Ports of Entry for Pathogens and the Reticuloendothelial System (RES)
Immunity, Regenerative Medecine, and Stem Cells
10. Muscle Function
Muscle Diversification
Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Muscle
Cycling of Cross-Bridges and Shortening of Sarcomeres
Muscle Levers, Hypertrophy, and Atrophy
Muscle Diseases and Conditions
Experimenting with Muscle
11. Integrated Physiological Responses
Hypovolemic Hypotension
Baroreceptor Reflexes and Cardiac Output
Vasomotor Responses and Blood Pressure
Renal Response and the Renin-Angiotensin System
Blood Flow and Its Distribution and Redistribution during Hypotension
Long-Term Responses to Hypotension
12. For the Record
Blood Pressure and Your Health
Blood Lipids and Physical Activity
Blood Cells and Good Health
Blood Sugar, Diabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome
Glossary
Notes and Suggested Reading
Index
List of Tables
Preface
1. The Foundation
Structure and Function
Homeostasis, Equilibrium, and the Steady State
Physiological Gradients
Physiological Reflexes
Control Systems Analysis
Feedback and Feedforward
2. Understanding the Mammalian Nervous System
What Are Neurons?
What Is the Nervous System?
Neuron Communication, Electrical and Chemical Transmission
Different Neurotransmitters and Their Locations and Functions
Discomfort, Pain, and the Nervous System
Mental Activity, Cerebral Blood Flow, and Health of the Nervous System
3. The Endocrine System and Physiological Communication
Advances in Endocrinology
Hormones, Proteins, and Peptides
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Excesses and Deficiencies of GH and Health
The Adrenal Gland and Growth
The Thyroid Gland
4. The Cardiovascular System and the Blood
The Blood
The Heart and Cardiac Cycle
The Blood Vessels
Lifestyle and Monitoring Cardiovascular Health
Reactive Hyperemia and Blood Flow to Organs and Tissues
5. Health and the Respiratory System
Componenets of the Respiratory System
Pulmonary Ventilation, or Lung Inflation and Deflation
Respiration, Exchange, and Transport of Blood Gases
Central and Peripheral Regulation of the Respiratory System
Lungs and Balance of Acids and Bases
Lifestyle and Care of the Lungs
6. Kidneys and Renal Physiology
Functional Morphology of the Kidneys
Glomerular Filtration Rate and Urine
Regulation of GFR and RPF
REabsorption, Secretion, and the Formation of Urine
Renal Health, Hydration, and Urination
Diabetes and Sugar in the Urine
7. The Gastrointestinal System
Components of the Gastrointestinal (GI) or Enteric System
Mechanics and Reflexes of the GI Tract
Secretions of the GI Tract
Digestion of Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins
Health of the Oral Cavity and Vocalization
Health of the GI Tract and Diet
8. The Reproductive System
Gametogenesis, Genetic, Gonadal, and Phenotypic Sex
The Sexually Indifferent Embryonic Gonad
Spermatogenesis and the Male Reproductive System
Oogenesis, Folliculogenesis, and the Female Reproductive System
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Sexual Behavior, and Infertility
9. The Immune System
Cellular Defenses
Chemotaxis, Margination, Diapedesis, and Phagocytosis
Ports of Entry for Pathogens and the Reticuloendothelial System (RES)
Immunity, Regenerative Medecine, and Stem Cells
10. Muscle Function
Muscle Diversification
Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Muscle
Cycling of Cross-Bridges and Shortening of Sarcomeres
Muscle Levers, Hypertrophy, and Atrophy
Muscle Diseases and Conditions
Experimenting with Muscle
11. Integrated Physiological Responses
Hypovolemic Hypotension
Baroreceptor Reflexes and Cardiac Output
Vasomotor Responses and Blood Pressure
Renal Response and the Renin-Angiotensin System
Blood Flow and Its Distribution and Redistribution during Hypotension
Long-Term Responses to Hypotension
12. For the Record
Blood Pressure and Your Health
Blood Lipids and Physical Activity
Blood Cells and Good Health
Blood Sugar, Diabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome
Glossary
Notes and Suggested Reading
Index
