Table of Contents
OXYGEN AND THE HISTORY OF LIFE
The Cell's Oxygen Sink and Energetics
Getting Oxygen to the Sink
Evolution of O2 Transport Systems
Evolution of External Gas Exchangers
Looking at the System as a Whole: Philosophy of the Approach
THE BODY'S NEED FOR OXYGEN
Levels of O2 Consumption
Estimating the Limits of O2 Consumption
LINKING STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION: MODEL, MEANS, AND TOOLS
How Does Structure Affect O2 Flow?
Are Animals Built Reasonably?
The Tools
CELL RESPIRATION
Gaining Energy from Combustion
Metabolic Pathways of the Cell
The Cell's Energetic Balance Sheet
MITOCHONDRIA: THE CELL'S FURNACES
Putting Some Order into Cell Metabolism
Oxidation-Phosphorylation Coupling Depends on Structure
Mitochondria and the Cell's Aerobic Potential
Mitochondria in Muscle Cells
THE VEHICLE FOR OXYGEN TRANSPORT: BLOOD AND CIRCULATION
The O2 and CO, Carrier: Blood
Moving Blood Around: Circulation
O2 Transport by the Blood
DELIVERING OXYGEN TO THE CELLS
Distributing Blood to the Tissues: Design of the Vasculature
The Microvascular Unit
O2 Flow from Blood to Cells
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAMMALIAN LUNG
Development of the Lung
Lung Histogenesis: Differentiation toward Gas Exchange
The Lung at Birth and Its Postnatal Maturation
LUNG CELL BIOLOGY
Organization of the Lung's Cell Population
A Closer Look at the Cells of the Gas Exchange Region
AIRWAYS AND BLOOD VESSELS
The Airway Tree
Ventilation
The Vascular Trees
Pulmonary Blood Flow
Ventilation-Perfusion Matching
THE LUNG'S MECHANICAL SUPPORT
External Support and Motive Force
The Pleural Cavity
The Lung's Fiber Skeleton
Surface Tension
Micromechanics and the Configuration of the Alveolar Septum
Keeping the Barrier Dry and Thin
THE LUNG AS GAS EXCHANGER
Design of the Gas Exchanger
Physiological Basis for Gas Exchange
Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity: Physiology
Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity: Morphometry
Structure and Function Compared
Matching the Conductance to O2 Needs: The Emergence of a Paradox
Resolving the Paradox: Models and Nature
THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM IN OVERVIEW
Adjusting Performance to Needs
Adjusting Potential to Needs
The Limits to Potential: The Smallest Mammal
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
GENERAL REFERENCES
INDEX
