Animal Physiology

Animal Physiology, Sixth Edition, is a comprehensive and contemporary resource designed to meet the needs of university-level teaching in physiology. Written by Richard W. Hill, Daniel Cavanaugh, Martin Tresguerres, and Hélène Volkoff, and with contributions by Holly Shiels, this text provides a clear and integrated approach to modern animal physiology, situating physiological principles within their ecological and evolutionary contexts. For instructors, this integration is a critical advantage: it enables students to see physiology not as a series of isolated mechanisms, but as a dynamic field that connects molecular biology, biochemistry, cells, tissues, organs, and whole organisms to the environments in which they live. One of the persistent challenges in teaching physiology is helping students make connections across levels of biological scale. Animal Physiology addresses this challenge directly. By embedding ecological and evolutionary perspectives throughout, the text encourages students to think holistically about animal function. This approach not only strengthens conceptual understanding but also fosters critical thinking-skills that are essential for success in advanced coursework, research, and professional practice. The book's structure reflects the breadth of the discipline. It begins with fundamentals such as molecular and cellular physiology, then moves through energy metabolism, thermal relations, and nutrition. Subsequent sections cover integrative systems including neurobiology, endocrinology, and reproduction, followed by movement and muscle physiology, gas exchange, circulation, and internal transport. The final sections explore water balance, excretion, and specialized adaptations. This organization allows instructors to design courses that progress logically from foundational concepts to complex systems, while maintaining flexibility to emphasize particular areas of interest. Animal Physiology is distinguished by its art program and visual pedagogy. The illustrations are not merely decorative; they are carefully designed to clarify complex processes and reinforce key ideas. For lecturers, this means less time spent creating supplemental visuals and more time guiding students through interpretation and application. The clarity of the figures also supports diverse learning styles, making the text accessible to students who benefit from visual reinforcement. The Sixth Edition is available as an enhanced eBook that optimizes student success. The enhanced eBook integrates the author team's engaging narrative with a rich assortment of video resources and assignable interactive online components, including 25 animations, 53 Dynamic Animated Figures, Foundation Review Modules that cover pre-requisite topics, end-of-section self-assessments, and chapter quizzes. For instructors, PowerPoint Presentations, a Video Guide, Test Bank, and other resources provide the foundations on which they can build their courses. Instructors will find Animal Physiology particularly valuable for its balance of depth and accessibility. The text is rigorous enough to challenge advanced undergraduates and graduate students yet written in a style that remains approachable. Its emphasis on ecological and evolutionary context sets it apart from physiology texts that focus narrowly on mechanisms, making it especially well-suited for courses that aim to cultivate a broad, integrative understanding of animal biology.