ABSTRACT

General and Comparative Endocrinology: An Integrative Approach, takes a holistic approach to endocrinology, introducing students to the diverse facets of this interdisciplinary science ranging from the medical to comparative domains, while also exploring evolutionary, environmental, and conservation specializations within the field. The textbook is founded on the principle that students interested in the health sciences will benefit from understanding how proficiency in endocrine function among a diversity of organisms contributes to advances in modern medicine. Likewise, students intrigued by comparative physiology will benefit from the wealth of knowledge derived from medical/clinical endocrinology, the historical bedrock of the field. This textbook represents the modern field of endocrinology in its totality by addressing topics and recent advances not currently discussed in other introductory endocrinology textbooks.

Key Features

  • Introduces the broad and interdisciplinary scope of endocrinology.
  • Provides clear chapter objectives and key concepts.
  • Includes summary and synthesis questions for each chapter that are suitable for exams and quizzes.
  • Includes a chapter devoted to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
  • Describes the roles played by the endocrine system in important health challenges related to appetite regulation, obesity, diabetes, and other diseases stemming from ‘mismatches to modernity’.
  • Integrates evolutionary and comparative approaches to hormones and health.

part Unit Overview Unit I|53 pages

Introduction to Endocrinology

chapter Chapter 1|25 pages

The Scope and Growth of Endocrinology

chapter Chapter 2|14 pages

Fundamental Features of Endocrine Signaling

chapter Chapter 3|12 pages

Evolution of Endocrine Signaling

part Unit Overview Unit II|60 pages

Mechanisms of Hormone Action

chapter Chapter 4|19 pages

Hormone Classes and Biosynthesis

chapter Chapter 5|28 pages

Receptors

chapter Chapter 6|11 pages

Receptor Binding Kinetics

part Unit Overview Unit III|78 pages

Neuroendocrinology

chapter Chapter 8|27 pages

The Pituitary Gland and Its Hormones

chapter Chapter 9|26 pages

Central Control of Biological Rhythms

part Unit Overview Unit IV|81 pages

Developmental Endocrinology

chapter Chapter 10|34 pages

Thyroid Hormones

Development and Growth

chapter Chapter 11|20 pages

Insect Molting and Metamorphosis

part Unit Overview Unit V|78 pages

Stress, Blood Pressure, and Ion Balance

chapter Chapter 13|18 pages

The Multifaceted Adrenal Gland

chapter Chapter 14|27 pages

Adrenal Hormones and the Stress Response

chapter Chapter 15|31 pages

Blood Pressure and Osmoregulation

part Unit Overview Unit VI|88 pages

Appetite, Digestion, and Metabolism

chapter Chapter 16|20 pages

Digestion

chapter Chapter 17|13 pages

Appetite

chapter Chapter 18|25 pages

Energy Homeostasis

chapter Chapter 19|28 pages

Metabolic Dysregulation and Disruption

part Unit Overview Unit VII|148 pages

Reproduction

chapter Chapter 20|30 pages

Sexual Determination and Differentiation

chapter Chapter 21|27 pages

Male Reproductive System

chapter Chapter 22|32 pages

Female Reproductive System

chapter Chapter 23|27 pages

The Timing of Puberty and Seasonal Reproduction

chapter Chapter 24|30 pages

Pregnancy, Birth, and Lacation

part Unit Overview Unit VIII|27 pages

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

chapter Chapter 25|25 pages

EDCs

Assessing the Risk