Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Preface -- Chapter 1: The Foundation -- Structure and Function -- Homeostasis, Equilibrium, and the Steady State -- Physiological Gradients -- Physiological Reflexes -- Control Systems Analysis -- Feedback and Feedforward -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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 -- Chapter 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.