Our Marvelous Bodies: An Introduction to the Physiology of Human Health

CONTENTS

List of Figures ix List of Tables xi Preface xiii 1 The Foundation 1 Structure and Function 1 Homeostasis, Equilibrium, and the Steady State 7 Physiological Gradients 9 Physiological Reflexes 11 Control Systems Analysis 13 Feedback and Feedforward 15 2 Understanding the Mammalian Nervous System 18 What Are Neurons? 18 What Is the Nervous System? 19 Neuron Communication, Electrical and Chemical Transmission 22 Different Neurotransmitters and Their Locations and Functions 25 Discomfort, Pain, and the Nervous System 29 Mental Activity, Cerebral Blood Flow, and Health of the Nervous System 32 3 The Endocrine System and Physiological Communication 35 Advances in Endocrinology 35 Hormones, Proteins, and Peptides 39 The Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis 41 Excesses and Deficiencies of GH and Health 44 The Adrenal Gland and Growth 47 The Thyroid Gland 48 CONTENTS v 4 The Cardiovascular System and the Blood 53 The Blood 54 The Heart and Cardiac Cycle 57 The Blood Vessels 62 Lifestyle and Monitoring Cardiovascular Health 68 Reactive Hyperemia and Blood Flow to Organs and Tissues 72 5 Health and the Respiratory System 76 Components of the Respiratory System 77 Pulmonary Ventilation, or Lung Inflation and Deflation 80 Respiration, Exchange, and Transport of Blood Gases 83 Central and Peripheral Regulation of the Respiratory System 86 Lungs and Balance of Acids and Bases 89 Lifestyle and Care of the Lungs 92 6 Kidneys and Renal Physiology 94 Functional Morphology of the Kidneys 95 Glomerular Filtration Rate and Urine 96 Regulation of GFR and RPF 99 Reabsorption, Secretion, and the Formation of Urine 102 Renal Health, Hydration, and Urination 103 Diabetes and Sugar in the Urine 105 7 The Gastrointestinal System 109 Components of the Gastrointestinal (GI) or Enteric System 110 Mechanics and Reflexes of the GI Tract 113 Secretions of the GI Tract 115 Digestion of Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins 119 Health of the Oral Cavity and Vocalization 123 Health of the GI Tract and Diet 125 8 The Reproductive System 128 Gametogenesis, Genetic, Gonadal, and Phenotypic Sex 128 The Sexually Indifferent Embryonic Gonad 130 Spermatogenesis and the Male Reproductive System 132 Oogenesis, Folliculogenesis, and the Female Reproductive System 133 Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Sexual Behavior, and Infertility 136 9 The Immune System 138 Cellular Defenses 138 Chemotaxis, Margination, Diapedesis, and Phagocytosis 140 Ports of Entry for Pathogens and the Reticuloendothelial System (RES) 142 Immunity, Regenerative Medicine, and Stem Cells 145 CONTENTS vi 10 Muscle Function 151 Muscle Diversification 151 Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Muscle 153 Cycling of Cross-Bridges and Shortening of Sarcomeres 154 Muscle Levers, Hypertrophy, and Atrophy 156 Muscle Diseases and Conditions 158 Experimenting with Muscle 160 1 1 Integrated Physiological Responses 162 Hypovolemic Hypotension 162 Baroreceptor Reflexes and Cardiac Output 163 Vasomotor Responses and Blood Pressure 165 Renal Response and the Renin-Angiotensin System 166 Blood Flow and Its Distribution and Redistribution during Hypotension 168 Long-Term Responses to Hypotension 168 12 For the Record 170 Blood Pressure and Your Health 172 Blood Lipids and Physical Activity 174 Blood Cells and Good Health 178 Blood Sugar, Diabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome 180 Glossary 185 Notes and Suggested Reading 199 Index 209 CONTENTS vii ...