This textbook explores the fundamental qualitative and quantitative aspects of human physiology. It approaches biological and physiological processes and phenomena from a quantitative perspective, revealing how physiological problems can be mathematically formulated starting from simple laws of physics. The book addresses a broad range of topics, including: the statics and dynamics of circulation; muscle and sarcomere force-length and force-velocity relations, together with their mechanisms and functional consequences; subdivisions and meaning of the heat produced by muscle; locomotion, statics and dynamics of respiration; diffusion of gases and acid base equilibrium; phonation; general functions of the kidney and of the different sections of the nephron; changes in clearance with a substance’s plasmatic concentration; pH regulation and the kidney; Donnan’s equilibrium and its consequences; and the Nernst equation. The book offers the ideal learning resource for students of human physiology courses in medicine and biomedicine, as well as biomedical engineering and biophysics graduate students. An elementary grasp of mathematics and physics is sufficient to understand the content.

Fundamentals of Human Physiology: A Comparative Examination is written from a comparative perspective using examples from animal physiology to illustrate key principles and shed light on what is known about physiological mechanisms in humans. Over the course of ten chapters the book examines and describes these various mechanisms in detail. Fundamentals of Human Physiology begins with an introduction to histology and the organization of the body. It then goes on to focused explorations of cell, sensory, and muscle physiology, as well as neurophysiology. The text also covers the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive systems. The final chapter is devoted to endocrinology. Students learn about cell structure and function, cell signaling, and transduction pathways. They explore the nervous system including somatic and visceral sensation. They become familiar with skeletal muscle, the heart and vascular systems, the lungs, and gas transport mechanisms. Each chapter concludes with a summary that support identification and retention of important concepts. Fundamentals of Human Physiology is well suited to undergraduate courses in human physiology or anatomy.

Fundamentals of Human Physiology was conceived to meet the needs of students and professors struggling with the complexity and depth of the larger, more detailed human physiology textbooks currently available. In addition to being more concise and focusing on the basics of human physiology, this text is smaller in physical size, allowing for a cheaper, easier choice for instructors.

This 300 page study guide to accompany FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSIOLOGY was written by John Harley. It contains chapter overviews, chapter outlines, key terms, review exercises, "Points to Ponder," "Clinical Perspectives," and "Experiments of the Day."

Human Physiology