Mechanisms of systemic regulation

More about the book

This comprehensive work covers various aspects of gas exchange and respiratory regulation in aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. It begins with an examination of cutaneous gas exchange, discussing its significance and the roles of diffusion and perfusion, as well as the necessity of skin ventilation in aquatic environments. The text then delves into the biochemical functions of carbonic anhydrase in aquatic gas exchange, emphasizing its importance in gas transfer processes. The architecture and gas dynamics of the fish swimbladder are explored, detailing classical and recent models of gas deposition, along with regulatory mechanisms and outstanding questions in the field. The regulation of respiration in lower vertebrates is addressed, focusing on the role of CO2/pH chemoreceptors in fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Blood gas transport mechanisms are analyzed, particularly the adrenergic control of red cell pH and organic phosphate concentrations in teleost fish, including how catecholamines influence these processes and hemoglobin function. The text also discusses the central vascular circulation in reptiles, covering mechanisms of intracardiac shunting and cardiovascular dynamics across various reptilian groups. Finally, it examines the veno-lymphatic system's role in amphibians, including historical perspectives, lymphatic structure and function, and its contributions to water balance and acid-base regulation. The physio