Our marvelous bodies: an introduction to the physiology of human health

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

Components 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 medicine, 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 selected reading

Index.