The new and updated edition of this accessible text provides a comprehensive overview of the comparative physiology of animals within an environmental context.
* Includes two brand new chapters on Nerves and Muscles and the Endocrine System.
* Discusses both comparative systems physiology and environmental physiology.
* Analyses and integrates problems and adaptations for each kind of environment: marine, seashore and estuary, freshwater, terrestrial and parasitic.
* Examines mechanisms and responses beyond physiology.
* Applies an evolutionary perspective to the analysis of environmental adaptation.
* Provides modern molecular biology insights into the mechanistic basis of adaptation, and takes the level of analysis beyond the cell to the membrane, enzyme and gene.
* Incorporates more varied material from a wide range of animal types, with less of a focus purely on terrestrial reptiles, birds and mammals and rather more about the spectacularly successful strategies of invertebrates.
A companion site for this book with artwork for downloading is available at: www.blackwellpublishing.com/willmer/
Autorentext
Pat Willmer began her research career in neurobiology at Cambridge, progressively switching to broader interests in invertebrate physiology and the interactions of physiology, ecology, and behavior. Her current interests at St Andrews mainly focus on insect environmental physiology, and effects on insectplant interactions.
Graham Stone began his research career in entomology at Oxford, progressively switching to broader aspects of the biology of insectplant interactions. His current interests at Edinburgh mainly focus on pollination ecology (particularly of Acacia communities in Africa) and the biology of oak gallwasps.
Ian A. Johnston began his research career at Hull and Bristol. His research group at St Andrews is currently utilizing genomic, molecular, physiological, structural, and whole organism approaches to investigate muscle development and growth in teleost fish, with particular reference to temperature adaptation and the evolution of Antarctic and Arctic species.
Klappentext
This new and updated edition, with two entirely new chapters, provides a comprehensive coverage of the comparative physiology of animals, in a strongly environmental context.
It provides full analysis of the basic principles of physiological adaptations, in both vertebrates and invertebrates. It now also includes new chapters on the control systems (nervous and sensory systems, muscles, and hormones) and how they allow integration with the environment, suitable for introductory courses on excitable tissues
But it is unique in also providing detailed and integrated reviews of how animals sense, react to and cope with particular environments - the marine and freshwater worlds, the particularly challenging seashore and estuarine zones, the different kinds of terrestrial habitat, and the parasitic environment. In this way, physiology is for the first time properly integrated with ecological principles and with behavioural responses used by animals in coping with environmental challenges.
The book provides a stand-alone core text for undergraduate courses in comparative physiology, animal physiology, or environmental physiology, but also provides key material for integrating across modules in any environmental biology degree.
Inhalt
Preface To Second Edition.
Preface To First Edition.
Acknowledgments.
Abbreviations.
Part I: Basic Principles:.
1. The Nature And Levels Of Adaptation:.
Introduction: Comparative, Environmental, And Evolutionary Physiology.
The Meaning Of 'Environment'.
The Meaning Of 'Adaptation'.
Comparative Methods To Detect Adaptation.
Physiological Response On Different Scales.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
2. Fundamental Mechanisms Of Adaptation:.
Introduction: Adaptation At The Molecular And Genome Level.
Controlling Protein Action.
Control Of Protein Synthesis And Degradation.
Protein Evolution.
Physiological Regulation Of Gene Expression.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
3. The Problems Of Size And Scale:.
Introduction.
Principle Of Similarity: Isometric Scaling.
Allometric Scaling.
The Scaling Of Metabolic Rate.
Scaling Of Locomotion.
Conclusions: Is There A Right Size To Be?.
Further Reading.
Part II: Central Issues In Comparative Physiology:.
4. Water, Ions, And Osmotic Physiology:.
Introduction.
Aqueous Solutions.
Passive Movements Of Water And Solutes.
Nonpassive Solute Movements.
Concentrations Of Cell Contents.
Overall Regulation Of Cell Contents.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
5. Animal Water Balance, Osmoregulation, And Excretion:.
Introduction.
Exchanges Occurring At The Outer Body Surface.
Osmoregulation At External Surfaces.
Osmoregulatory Organs And Their Excretory Products.
Water Regulation Via The Gut.
Regulation Of Respiratory Water Exchanges.
Water Loss In Reproductive Systems.
Water Gain.
The Costs And Energetics Of Regulating Water And Ion Balance.
Roles Of Nervous Systems And Hormones.
Conclusions.
Further Reading.
6. Metabolism And Energy Supply:.
Introduction.
Metabolic Intermediaries.
Anaerobic Metabolism.
Aerobic Metabolism.
Metabolic Rates.
Energy Budgets.
Further Reading.
7. Respiration And Circulation:.
Introduction.
Uptake And Loss Of Gases Across Respiratory Surfaces.
Ventilation Systems To Improve Exchange Rates.
Circulatory Systems.
Delivering And Transferring Gases To The Tissues.
Coping With Hypoxia And Anoxia.
Control Of Respiration.
Further Reading.
8. Temperature And Its Effects:.
Introduction.
Biochemical Effects Of Temperature.
Physiological Effects Of Temperature.
Terminology And Strategies In Thermal Biology.
Thermal Environments And Thermal Exchanges.
Avoidance, Tolerance, And Acclimation In Thermal Biology.
Regulating Heat Gain And Keeping Warm.
Regulating Heat Loss And Keeping Cool.
Opting Out: Evasion Systems In Space Or Time.
Regulating Thermal Biology: Nerves And Hormones.
Evolution And Advantages Of Varying Thermal Strategies.
Further Reading.
9. Excitable Tissues Nervous Systems And Muscles:.
Introduction.
Section 1: Nerves.
Neural Functioning.
Synaptic Transmission.
Nervous Systems.
Neural Integration And Higher Neural Processes.
Neuronal Development.
Sensory Systems Mechanisms And Principles.
Specific Senses And Sense Organs.
Section 2: Muscles.
Muscles And Movement: Introduction.
Muscle Structure.
M...