Description
Since publication of the first edition, huge developments have taken place in sensory biology research and new insights have been provided in particular by molecular biology. These show the similarities in the molecular architecture and in the physiology of sensory cells across species and across sensory modality and often indicate a common ancestry dating back over half a billion years. Biology of Sensory Systems has thus been completely revised and takes a molecular, evolutionary and comparative approach, providing an overview of sensory systems in vertebrates, invertebrates and prokaryotes, with a strong focus on human senses. Written by a renowned author with extensive teaching experience, the book covers, in six parts, the general features of sensory systems, the mechanosenses, the chemosenses and the senses which detect electromagnetic radiation. Other sensory systems are also dealt with, including pain, thermosensitivity and minority senses. Finally the book provides an outline and discussion of philosophical implications. New in this edition: * Greater emphasis on molecular biology and intracellular mechanisms * New chapter on genomics and sensory systems * Sections on TRP channels, synaptic transmission, evolution of nervous systems, arachnid sensory systems, electroreception in the Monotremata, language and the FOXP2 gene, mirror neurons and the molecular biology of pain * Updated passages on animal and human olfaction and gestation Over four hundred illustrations, boxes containing supplementary material and self-assessment questions and a full bibliography at the end of each part make Biology of Sensory Systems essential reading for undergraduate students of biology, zoology, animal physiology, neuroscience, anatomy and physiological psychology. The book is also suitable for postgraduate students in more specialised courses such as vision sciences, optometry, neurophysiology, neuropathology, developmental biology. Preface to Second Edition. Preface to First Edition. PART I: PRELIMINARIES. Chapter 1 Elements. Chapter 2 Membranes, Action Potentials, Synapses. Chapter 3 General Features of Sensory Systems. Box 3.1 Hermann von Helmholtz. Chapter 4 Classification and Phylogeny. Chapter 5 Genes, Genomics and Neurosensory Systems. Box 5.1 Nomenclature of Genes and Proteins. Part I: Self Assessment. Part I: Notes, References and Bibliography. PART II: MECHANOSENSITIVITY. Chapter 6 Mechanosensitivity of Cell Membranes. Chapter 7 Kinaesthesia. Chapter 8 Touch. Chapter 9 Equilibrium and Hearing: The Uses of Hair Cells. Box 9.1 Biophysics of Outer Hair Cells. Box 9.2 Genetics and Deafness. Chapter 10 Cerebral Analysis. Box 10.1 Broca andWernicke. Part II: Self Assessment. Part II: Notes, References and Bibliography. PART III: CHEMOSENSITIVITY. Chapter 11 Chemosensitivity in Prokaryocytes. Chapter 12 Mammalian Chemo- Enteroreceptors. Chapter 13 Gustation. Chapter 14 Olfaction. Part III: Self Assessment. Part III: Notes, References and Bibliography. PART IV: PHOTOSENSITIVITY. Box I4.1 Bacteriorhodopsin. Chapter 15 Invertebrate Vision. Box 15.1 The Evolution of Opsins. Box 15.2 Early Genetics of Eyes. Chapter 16 The Human Eye. Box 16.1 Genetics of Cataract. Chapter 17 The Retina. Chapter 18 Visual Pathways and Cortices. Box 18.1 The Reality of Cortical Columns. Box 18.2 Blindsight. Chapter 19 Other Vertebrate Visual Systems. Part IV: Self Assessment. Part IV: Notes, References and Bibliography. PART V: OTHER SENSES. Chapter 20 Thermosensitivity. Chapter 21 Minority Senses. Chapter 22 Pain. Part V: Self Assessment. Part V: Notes, References and Bibliography. PART VI: CODA. Chapter 23 Summing Up. Chapter 24 Philosophical Postscript. Part VI: Self Assessment. Part VI: Notes, References and Bibliography. Appendix: Some Techniques. Acronyms and Abbreviations. Glossary. Index.
