Almost all of the figures have been redone in this edition, ranging from a complete redrawing of the figure to simple labeling changes. A realistic three-dimensional perspective has been added to many of the figures for greater clarity and understanding of the concept.

• COLOR CODED ILLUSTRATIONS - Color-coding is effectively used to promote learning. For example, there are specific colors for the extracellular fluid, the intracellular fluid, muscle, and the lumen of the renal tubules and GI tract.
• MULTI-LEVEL PERSPECTIVE - Illustrations depicting complex structures or processes combine macroscopic and microscopic views to help you see the relationships between increasingly detailed drawings.
• FLOW DIAGRAMS - Long a hallmark of this book, extensive use of flow diagrams has been continued in this edition. They have been updated to assist in learning.

New and Updated Content!

Chapter 1 Homeostasis: A Framework for Human Physiology

• Introduction of the concept of physiological genomics
• Expanded description of positive feedback with parturition as an example
• Expanded description of the feedforward process using the response to food presentation as an example

Chapter 2 Chemical Composition of the Body

• Expanded discussion of free radicals
• Expanded discussion of dehydration reactions

Chapter 4 Movement of Molecule Across Cell Membranes

• New description of the mechanisms of mediated-transport keyed to new illustrations of the processes
• Expanded description of tonicity

Chapter 5 Control of Cells by Chemical Messengers

• Expanded description and depiction of the features of ligand-receptor interactions

Chapter 6 Neuronal Signaling and the Structure of the Nervous System

• Expanded description of axonal transport, including the role of kinesins and dyneins
• Inclusion of the Goldman equation in discussing the basis for resting membrane potentials
• Updated explanation of the ionic mechanisms underlying action potentials
• New detailed discussion of the cellular mechanism of long-term potentiation, with figure
• Explanation of the synaptic mechanisms of ethanol intoxication
• Expanded discussion of glial cells, with figure

Chapter 7 Sensory Physiology

• Expanded discussion of temperature receptors, including the mechanism of capsaicin and menthol sensation
• Reorganized and updated discussion of the optics of vision
• Updated discussion of phototransduction, with new figures
• Update of stereocilia mechanisms in hearing, including the role of tip links

Chapter 8 Consciousness, the Brain, and Behavior

• Added discussion of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
• Discussion of proposed mechanism of action of antidepressant medications

Chapter 9 Muscle

• Described the roles of subunits of troponin
• Updated terminology of skeletal muscle fiber types
• Expanded description of smooth muscle EC-coupling
• Discussion of slow-wave pattern of smooth muscle pacemaker activity

Chapter 10 Control of Body Movement

• Description of nuclear bag fibers vs. nuclear chain fibers
• Expanded discussion of treatments for Parkinson’s disease

Chapter 11 The Endocrine System

• Expanded description of the mechanism of steroidogenesis with text keyed to a new figure
• Description of embryological origin of the pituitary gland
• Expanded description of the mechanism of thyroid hormone synthesis with text keyed to a new figure
• Discussion of mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced suppression of inflammation
• Discussion of consequences of growth hormone abuse

Chapter 12 Cardiovascular Physiology

• New discussion of the advantages of parallel pathways in the systemic circulation
• New figure explaining how wall friction determines vascular resistance as radius changes
• New description and figure of coronary vessels emerging from aorta
• Explicit description of how different types of voltage-gated potassium channels contribute to cardiac action potentials
• New figure and explanation of 6 standard ECG leads and 6 chest leads
• New figure/discussion of laminar vs. turbulent blood flow through heart valves, and murmurs
• New figure explaining the origin of diffusion gradients at systemic capillary beds
• Simplified terminology and explanation of how Starling’s forces determine capillary bulk flow
• Introduce DSPA from vampire bat saliva as a new treatment for ischemic strokes

Chapter 13 Respiratory Physiology

• New table presenting transmural chest pressures
• Two new sections on ventilation-perfusion mismatching
• New figure showing CPAP therapy of obstructive sleep apnea

Chapter 14 The Kidneys and Regulation of Water and Inorganic Ions

• New section describing the two types of nephrons
• New presentation of countercurrent multiplier
• New section on Urea Recycling in the medullary interstitium
• New table summarizing the “Division of Labor” in the renal tubules

Chapter 16 Regulation of Organic Metabolism and Energy Balance

• Discussion of possible role of pancreatic somatostatin
• Role of high affinity glucose transporters in brain
• Role of ghrelin in appetite control

Chapter 17 Reproduction

• Reorganization of chapter in order to integrate sections on Sex Determination and Differentiation and Chronology (Puberty and Menopause) into earlier sections
• Update of contraception section to reflect newly approved methods

Chapter 18 Defense Mechanisms of the Body

• Expanded discussion of the mechanisms of body surface immune defense
• New table summarizing key actions of major cytokines