• A complete course in the biological topics that biomedical and healthcare science students need to know.
• Written by established authors with a long-standing track record of excellence in both teaching and research.
• Focuses on key concepts and principles without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail.
• Straightforward presentation, both in terms of the written text and accompanying artwork, leaves the student free to focus on mastering the key principles.
• Online Resource Centre features additional resources for lecturers to enhance the educational value of the text.

Readership: First and second year undergraduates studying the essentials of biological science as part of a biomedical or health science degree programme.

Gillian Pocock, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Science, Department of Health, Wellbeing and the Family, Canterbury Christ Church University, and Chris Richards, Emeritus Professor of Experimental Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University College London

"Overall, the writing style in this text is very clear and pitched at an appropriate level for the intended students. Certainly, from my own perspective, such a text would be a great benefit to both student and instructor alike. " - Dr Victor Gault, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster

"The text is well illustrated and the writing style is highly readable. The use of boxes and key points aids learning of the topics. The overall scope of the text is wide and covers the majority of the science foundation needed to study the biomedical sciences. " - Anon

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
1: Introduction
2: Chemical constitution of the body- elementary chemistry
3: Chemical constitution of the body- principal body constituents
SECTION 2: THE ORGANIZATION AND BASIC FUNCTIONS OF CELLS
4: Introducing cells
5: The cell membrane and its functions
6: Cells and tissues
7: Cell signalling
SECTION 3 EXCITABLE CELLS
8: Nerve cells and their connections
9: Muscle
SECTION 4 THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF BODY SYSTEMS
10: Musculo-skeletal system
11: The organization of the nervous system
12: Motor systems
13: Autonomic nervous system
14: Sensory physiology
15: Higher nervous function
16: The endocrine system
17: The heart
18: The ECG
19: The circulation
20: The properties of blood
21: Defence against infection: inflammation and immunity
22: Respiration
23: The kidney and renal system
24: The digestive system
25: The liver and gall bladder
26: The pancreas
27: The physiology of the skin
SECTION 5 REPRODUCTION AND INHERITANCE
28: The Physiology of reproduction
29: Fertilization and pregnancy
30: The genetic basis of inheritance
SECTION 6 INTEGRATIVE ASPECTS OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
31: Nutrition
32: Energy balance, exercise and the control of metabolic rate
33: Thermoregulation
34: Whole body acid-base balance and fluid regulation
35: Uptake, distribution and metabolism of drugs