Introduction to Animal Physiology

Ian Kay is a Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences in the Department of Biological Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.

• Preface -- Abbreviations -- I Homeostasis: The central concept in physiology -- An introduction to animal physiology -- The body fluids of animals -- Homeostasis -- Homeostatic control systems - feedback -- Feedforward -- Non-physiological homeostatic mechanisms -- Acclimatization -- 2 Neurons and nervous systems -- Introduction -- Cellular elements of the nervous system -- How neurons work -- Synaptic transmission -- Organization of nervous systems -- 3 Receptors and effectors -- Introduction -- Sensory neurophysiology -- Classification of sensory receptors -- Sensory receptor function -- Sensory reception -- Effectors - the responses to sensory information -- Intracellular movement -- Amoeboid movement -- Muscle and movement -- Skeletal systems -- 4 Endocrine function -- Introduction -- Definition of endocrine systems -- Identification of endocrine organs -- The chemical nature of hormones -- The mechanism of hormone action -- Invertebrate endocrine systems -- Vertebrate endocrine systems -- S Ventilation and gas exchange -- Introduction -- Gases in air and water -- A comparison of air and water as respiratory media -- Gas exchange by simple diffusion across the general body surface area -- The evolution and design considerations of gas exchange organs -- Gills -- Lungs -- Tracheal systems -- Control of ventilation -- 6 Thermoregulation in animals -- The importance of temperature to animal physiology -- Classification of temperature regulation -- Heat exchange interactions between animals and the environment -- Ectotherms -- Endotherms -- Control of body temperature in endotherms -- A comparison of ectothermy with endothermy -- 7 Circulatory systems -- Functions of circulatory systems -- The composition of blood -- The heart -- Types of circulatory system -- Transport of oxygen -- Transport of carbon dioxide -- 8 Gastrointestinal function -- Introduction -- Feeding mechanisms -- The need for a gastrointestinal system -- Generalized structure and function of gastrointestinal systems -- Excretion and water absorption -- 9 Osmoregulation -- Introduction -- The principles of osmosis -- Generalized osmotic responses of animals -- The osmotic responses of animals -- 10 Excretory mechanisms -- The need for excretory organs -- Types of excretory organs -- Nitrogen excretion -- I I Reproduction -- Introduction -- Asexual reproduction -- Sexual reproduction -- Gamete production -- Fertilization -- Development and pregnancy -- Birth -- Lactation -- Maternal behavior -- Appendix. An outline classification of animals -- Glossary -- Index.

"The presentation is uncluttered, with plenty of clear outline diagrams." Aslib Book Guide Vol. 64 No.5 May 1999