Review of Medical Physiology - William F. Ganong 2002

Introduction
General Principles and Cellular Basis of Human Physiology
Introduction

In unicellular organisms, all vital processes take place within a single Cell. Through the evolution toward Multicellular Organisms, diverse groups of Cells have acquired specialized Functions. In humans and vertebrates, specialized cell groups perform the Functions of the Digestive System for food Digestion AND ABSORPTION, the Respiratory system for O2 uptake and CO2 elimination, the excretory system for waste removal, the Circulatory system for distributing nutrients, O2, and metabolic products, the Reproductive System for perpetuating the biological species, and the nervous and endocrine systems for coordinating functions and integrating them with one another. This book is dedicated to exploring the mechanisms underlying the functioning of these systems and THE CONTRIBUTION OF each to The activity of the Organism as an integrated whole.

This section outlines the General Principles and fundamentals underlying the operation of all body systems, and provides a Brief Overview of the fundamental aspects of cell physiology that serve as the foundation for all systemic activities. Additional aspects of cell and molecular biology are addressed in the respective chapters dedicated to other Organ Systems.



Last update: 10/08/2026

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