I. General Physiology of the Cell and of Intercellular Communication.- 1 Fundamentals of Cell Physiology.- 1.1 The Cell as a Compartment for Physiological Exchange Processes.- 1.2 Exchange of Substances between Cell and Surroundings.- 1.3 Exchange of Substances within the Cell.- 1.4 Control of Cell Functions.- 1.5 References.- 2 Information Transfer by Electrical Excitation.- 2.1 Resting Potential.- 2.2 The Action Potential.- 2.3 Currents through Potential-Dependent Membrane Channels.- 2.4 Electrotonus and Stimulus.- 2.5 Propagation of the Action Potential.- 2.6 The Triggering of Impulse Volleys by Long-Lasting Depolarization.- 2.7 References.- 3 Transmission of Excitation from Cell to Cell.- 3.1 Chemical Synaptic Transmission.- 3.2 Interactions of Synapses.- 3.3 Microphysiology of Chemical Synaptic Transmission.- 3.4 Electrical Synaptic Transmission.- 3.5 References.- II. Motor and Integrative Functions of the Nervous System; Muscle Physiology.- 4 Muscle.- 4.1 The Molecular Mechansim of Contraction.- 4.2 The Regulation of Muscle Contraction.- 4.3 Muscle Mechanics.- 4.4 Muscle Energetics.- 4.5 Smooth Muscle.- 4.6 References.- 5 Motor Systems.- 5.1 Neural Control of Posture and Movement : A Survey.- 5.2 Sensors for Motor Functions: Muscle Spindles and Tendon Organs.- 5.3 Spinal Motor Reflexes.- 5.4 Motor Centers in the Brainstem.- 5.5 Cerebellum.- 5.6 Basal Ganglia.- 5.7 Motor Fields of the Cerebral Cortex.- 5.8 Functional Restitution after Lesions in the Motor System.- 5.9 References.- 6 Integrative Functions of the Central Nervous System.- 6.1 Definition and Localization of Integrative Functions.- 6.2 General Physiology of the Cerebral Cortex.- 6.3 Waking and Sleeping.- 6.4 Neurophysiological Correlates of Consciousness and Speech.- 6.5 Plasticity, Learning, Memory.- 6.6 Functions of the Frontal Lobes.- 6.7 References.- 7 The Nervous System in the Context of Information Theory.- 7.1 Introduction to Information Theory.- 7.2 Information Theory in Sensory Physiology.- 7.3 Measurement of Information in Psychology.- 7.4 References.- III. General and Special Sensory Physiology.- 8 General Sensory Physiology.- 8.1 Subject Matter of General Sensory Physiology.- 8.2 General Objective Sensory Physiology.- 8.3 General Subjective Sensory Physiology.- 8.4 Integrative Sensory Physiology.- 8.5 References.- 9 The Somatovisceral Sensory System.- 9.1 Psychophysics of Cutaneous Mechanoreception.- 9.2 Cutaneous Mechanosensors.- 9.3 Psychophysics of Thermoreception.- 9.4 Thermosensors.- 9.5 Visceral Sensibility.- 9.6 Proprioception.- 9.7 Functional and Anatomical Survey of the Central Somatosensory System.- 9.8 The Transfer of Somatovisceral Information in the Spinal Cord.- 9.9 Somatosensory Functions of the Brainstem.- 9.10 Thalamus.- 9.11 Somatosensory Projection Areas in the Cortex.- 9.12 Control of Afferent Input in the Somatosensory System.- 9.13 References.- 10 Nociception and Pain.- 10.1 The Characterization of Pain.- 10.2 Neurophysiology of Pain.- 10.3 Pathophysiology of Nociception and Pain.- 10.4 Endogenous and Exogenous Inhibition of Pain.- 10.5 References.- 11 The Sense of Sight.- 11.1 Seeing, Looking, Gazing.- 11.2 Light and the Eye.- 11.3 Signal Reception and Processing in the Retina.- 11.4 Neurophysiology and Psychophysics of the Perception of Light and Dark.- 11.5 Signal Processing in the Central Visual System.- 11.6 Practical and Clinical Applications of Visual Physiology.- 11.7 Color Vision.- 11.8 References.- 12 Physiology of the Sense of Equilibrium, Hearing and Speech.- 12.1 Physiology of the Sense of Equilibrium.- 12.2 Physiology of Hearing.- 12.3 Physiology of the Speech Apparatus.- 12.4 References.- 13 Taste and Smell.- 13.1 Characterization of the Chemical Senses.- 13.2 The Sense of Taste.- 13.3 The Sense of Smell.- 13.4 References.- 14 Thirst and Hunger: General Sensations.- 14.1 Thirst.- 14.2 Hunger.- 14.3 References.- IV. Neuronal and Hormonal Regulatory Processes.- 15 General Principles of Regulation.- 15.1 Basic Elements of Biological and Technical Control Circuits.- 15.2 Dynamic and Static Behavior of Control Circuits.- 15.3 Special Features of Control Systems.- 15.4 References.- 16 Autonomic Nervous System.- 16.1 Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System.- 16.2 Central Organization of the Autonomic Nervous System in Spinal Cord and Brainstem.- 16.3 Micturition and Defecation.- 16.4 Genital Reflexes.- 16.5 Functions of the Hypothalamus.- 16.6 Limbic System and Behavior.- 16.7 References.- 17 Endocrinology.- 17.1 General Aspects of Endocrinology.- 17.2 The Posterior Pituitary System.- 17.3 The Anterior Pituitary System.- 17.4 The Thyroid System.- 17.5 The Adrenal Cortex Systems.- 17.6 The Pancreatic Hormones.- 17.7 Homeostasis of Calcium and Phosphate Balance.- 17.8 Hormones of the Adrenal Medulla.- 17.9 Additional Hormonal Systems.- 17.10 References.- V. Blood and the Circulatory System.- 18 Functions of the Blood.- 18.1 Basic Concepts.- 18.2 Blood Plasma.- 18.3 Erythrocytes.- 18.4 Leukocytes.- 18.5 Thrombocytes.- 18.6 Hemostasis and Coagulation.- 18.7 The Role of the Blood in Defense.- 18.8 Human Blood Groups.- 18.9 References.- 19 Function of the Heart.- 19.1 General Structural and Functional Aspects.- 19.2 Basic Processes of Excitation and Excitation-Contraction Coupling.- 19.3 Electrocardiogram.- 19.4 The Mechanical Action of the Heart.- 19.5 Dynamics of Adjustment to Changing Work Loads.- 19.6 Energetics of the Heartbeat.- 19.7 References.- 20 Functions of the Vascular System.- 20.1 Fundamentals of Hemodynamics.- 20.2 Properties of the Vessel Walls and Variability of Vessel Diameter.- 20.3 Functional Organization of the Vascular System.- 20.4 The Arterial Part of the Systemic Circulation.- 20.5 Venous Part of the Systemic Circulation.- 20.6 Microcirculation.- 20.7 The Lymphatic System.- 20.8 Regulation of Regional (Local) Blood Flow.- 20.9 Regulation of the Overall Circulation.- 20.10 The Pulmonary Circulation.- 20.11 Circulatory Adjustments to Physiological and Pathological Circumstances.- 20.12 Circulation through Special Organs and Its Control.- 20.13 Measurement of Pressure, Flow and Volume in the Vascular System.- 20.14 References.- VI. Respiration.- 21 Pulmonary Respiration.- 21.1 Breathing Movements.- 21.2 Ventilation.- 21.3 Mechanical Factors in Breathing.- 21.4 Exchange of Gases.- 21.5 Pulmonary Perfusion and Oxygenation of the Blood.- 21.6 Central Rhythmogenesis and the Control of Breathing.- 21.7 References.- 22 Blood Gas Transport and Acid-Base Balance.- 22.1 The Structure and Properties of Hemoglobin.- 22.2 The O2-Transport Function of the Blood.- 22.3 The CO2-Transport Function of the Blood.- 22.4 The Acid-Base Status of the Blood.- 22.5 References.- 23 Tissue Respiration.- 23.1 Metabolism and Oxygen Requirements of the Tissues.- 23.2 Tissue Oxygen Supply.- 23.3 Regulation of O2 Supply and Effects of O2 Deficiency.- 23.4 References.- VIL Energy Balance, Work, and Environment.- 24 Energy Balance.- 24.1 Energy Expenditure.- 24.2 Parameters of Metabolism.- 24.3 Metabolic Rates under Special Conditions.- 24.4 Measurement Techniques.- 24.5 Measurement of the Oxygen Uptake of the Whole Body.- 24.6 Diagnostic Significance of Energy Expenditure.- 24.7 References.- 25 Thermal Balance and the Regulation of Body Temperature.- 25.1 Heat Production, Body Temperature and Body Size.- 25.2 The Temperature of the Human Body.- 25.3 Heat Loss.- 25.4 The Regulation of Body Temperature.- 25.5 Ontogenetic and Adaptive Changes in Thermoregulation.- 25.6 Pathophysiology of Thermoregulation.- 25.7 References.- 26 Work Physiology.- 26.1 Fundamentals of Work Physiology.- 26.2 Adjustments to Physical Work.- 26.3 Responses of the Organism to Non-Physical Loads.- 26.4 Limits of Performance Capacity.- 26.5 Fatigue and Exhaustion.- 26.6 Variability in Performance Capacity.- 26.7 Training.- 26.8 Performance and Aptitude Tests.- 26.9 References.- 27 Environmental Physiology.- 27.1 Altitude; Low Pressures.- 27.2 Diving; High Pressures.- 27.3 Climate and Room Ventilation.- 27.4 Noise, Vibration and Acceleration.- 27.5 References.- VIII. Nutrition, Digestion and Excretion.- 28 Nutrition.- 28.1 Foods: Their Composition and Functions.- 28.2 Nutritional Requirements; Symptoms of Deficiency and Overdosage.- 28.3 Utilization of Foodstuffs; Dietetics.- 28.4 Evaluation of Body Weight and the Surface Area of the Body.- 28.5 References.- 29 Functions of the Alimentary Canal.- 29.1 General Bases of Gastrointestinal Function.- 29.2 Oral Cavity, Pharynx and Esophagus.- 29.3 Stomach.- 29.4 Pancreas.- 29.5 Liver and Biliary System.- 29.6 Small Intestine.- 29.7 Colon.- 29.8 References.- 30 The Function of the Kidneys.- 30.1 Fundamentals of Renal Function.- 30.2 Renal Blood Flow.- 30.3 Glomerular Filtration.- 30.4 Tubular Transport.- 30.5 Special Tubular Transport Mechanisms.- 30.6 The Adjustment of Urine Concentration.- 30.7 References.- 31 Water and Electrolyte Balance.- 31.1 Water Balance.- 31.2 Electrolyte Balance.- 31.3 Generalized Disturbances of Water and Electrolyte Balance.- 31.4 References.- IX. Reproduction, Pregnancy and Aging.- 32 Sexual Functions.- 32.1 Sexual Differentiation.- 32.2 Hormonal Regulation of Gonadal Functions.- 32.3 Hormonal Regulation of Male Sexual Functions.- 32.4 Hormonal Regulation of the Female Sexual Functions.- 32.5 Puberty and Menopause.- 32.6 References.- 33 Reproduction and Pregnancy.- 33.1 Coitus.- 33.2 Pregnancy, Birth and Lactation.- 33.3 References.- 34 Aging and Old Age.- 34.1 Basic Features of the Biological Aging Process.- 34.2 Age-Related Functional Changes.- 34.3 References.- Physiological Units.